The (surprising) role of the cerebellum in cognitive functions in old adults

High cognitive abilities were commonly related to the prefrontal cortex. However, in recent years, the cerebellum was found to be strongly associated with age-related decline in motor and executive functions, even beyond the prefrontal cortex. Theoretical frameworks were suggested to understand the role of the cerebellum: as important for the formation of internal models of behaviour, as important for the timing of behaviour, or as crucial in sequence processing. Imaging research support the idea that age-related changes in cerebellar activation lead to slowed updating of stimulus-response mapping.Here, a meta-analysis of recent findings of cerebellar involvement in executive functions is provided. Also, a methodological issue is raised, relevant for models explaining cerebellar connectivity and effects on cognitive performance in old age. The surprising role of the cerebellum, hence, should no longer be surprising, and research of cognitive decline in old adults should take it under consideration.