Cerebellum plays critical roles in learning sensorimotor tasks (Manto, 2010). For instance, it is widely accepted that the olivocerebellar tract in one of the key pathways contributing to learning of new motor skills (Ito, 2006). However, although the involvement of cerebellar circuits in motor learning is known to be critical, their precise role in the acquisition and storage of new motor abilities or rather in the performance of the acquired motor skills is still a matter of debate. Several authors have pointed that attention should be paid to functional states (as opposed to neural sites) able to generate motor learning in mammals (Delgado-García and Gruart, 2002). Permanent or temporary disconnection of a given nodal center in a neural circuit will not determine the whole functional state of the involved circuit and the transformation of neural signals occurring at the different neural centers included in the circuit (Harvey et al., 1993; Delgado-García and Gruart, 2002).

There is currently a growing awareness that neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with cerebellar deficits and learning impairments. Still, the molecular mechanisms of the cerebellar defects remain poorly understood in many cases. Cerebellum is likely to become a major platform to investigate how development and learning interact in mammals. Indeed, cerebellar circuits are modular and stereotyped from the morphological standpoint and provide thus a structure of choice to investigate the relationships between regional developmental defects and learning, especially from the anatomical/functional point of view. Moreover, marked morphological changes still occur after birth, allowing the detailed assessment of developmental abnormalities with various techniques and their phenotypical impact after the pregnancy. In addition, developmental studies have revealed that the cerebellum evolves in successive waves of progenitors proliferation/migration throughout the embryonic and postnatal phases. The possibility to act selectively on these waves opens new therapeutic doors.

This review covers recent advances in the understanding of the gene networks contributing to cerebellar development, discusses the impact of very premature birth upon cerebellar development and underlines the critical steps of the development of the olivocerebellar tract. Potentially clinically relevant discoveries are highlighted.

Because the circuits of the cerebellum are unique in their morphology, the mechanisms of cerebellar neurogenesis are a subject of intense investigation (Carletti and Rossi, 2008). Neuronal/glial migrations as well as dendritogenesis are fundamental processes leading to functional cerebellar microcircuits being effective for plasticity and learning. Interestingly, the anatomy of the cerebellum with a midline vermis and two hemispheres located laterally is highly conserved from rodents to human, suggesting that the analysis of the development in rodents should provide direct relevant informations in human, including for cerebellar malformations.

The major features of cerebellar development can be briefly summarized as follows. Neuronal populations are generated in a sequential manner. The inhibitory interneurons emerge from the ventricular zone and the glutamatergic neurons are generated by the rhombic lip (Carletti and Rossi, 2008). In mouse, the glutamatergic and gabaergic neurons in nuclei are produced first, followed by Purkinje neurons. It is established that gabaergic interneurons of the cerebellar cortex originate from a ventricular zone progenitor (Leto and Rossi, 2011). After generation of cerebellar nuclei, the external granular layer is formed from precursors of granule cells originating from the rhombic lip. Granule cells will migrate to form the internal granular layer. It is interesting to note that these events occur at the third trimester of development in human (see also below the impact of very premature birth upon cerebellar development). Survival and maintenance of Purkine neurons and granule cells is dependent on the antiapoptotic protein Lifeguard, which is highly expressed in the cerebellum and is strongly upregulated during postnatal brain development (Hurtado de Mendoza et al., 2011). Lifeguard antagonizes the FAS pathway. FAS receptors tune neuronal survival following trophic factors deprivation (Raoul et al., 2000). Lifeguard affects cerebellar size, internal granular layer thickness, and Purkinje cell development, suggesting that lifeguard could participate in the pathogenesis of various human cerebellar disorders characterized by cerebellar atrophy. Glutamatergic unipolar brush cells migrate to the internal granular layer. Whereas the ventricular zone will lose its progenitors at late embryogenic stages, the rhombic lip remains active until postnatal period.

The relationship between circulating hormones and cerebellar development is well demonstrated. In particular, thyroid hormone plays a critical role in brain development (Koibuchi, 2008). The thyroid hormone receptor is a ligand-regulated transcription factor binding to a specific DNA sequence called thyroid-hormone-responsive element. The receptor recruits various coregulators such as coactivator and corepressor in a ligand-dependent manner to modulate the transcription of target genes (Koibuchi, 2008). It may also interact with other nuclear receptors such as Rora (retinoic-acid-related orphan receptor alpha; see below) whose expression is regulated by the thyroid hormone during the first postnatal two weeks.

In perinatal hypothyroidism, the growth and branching of Purkinje cell dendrites are greatly reduced, there is a reduction of synapses between granule cells and Purkinje neurons, migration of granule cells to the internal granule cell layer is delayed and synaptic connectivity within the cerebellar cortex is deficient (Nicholson and Altman, 1972, Koibuchi et al., 2003, 2008; Figure 1). Thyroid deficient rats show a persistence of synaptic sites of climbing fibers for a longer time (see section on the remodeling of the olivocerebellar projection) along with an underdevelopment of cerebellar glomeruli (Hajós et al., 1973). Performance of the hypothyroid animals is impaired in tests of adaptive behavior.

The discovery that Purkinje neurons possess steroidogenic enzymes and produce progesterone from cholesterol in the neonatal period has provided a link between steroidogenesis and development of cerebellar circuits (Sakamoto et al., 2001). Concentrations of progesterone and allopregnenolone are high in the cerebellum during the post-natal life (Tsutsui, 2008). The group of Tsutsui has demonstrated that progesterone promotes dendritic growth and spine formation in Purkinje neurons (Sakamoto et al., 2001). Neurosteroids have a direct effect upon synaptogenesis during the neonatal development. Formation of cerebellar circuitry is dependent on a local steroidogenesis, acting through neurotrophic factors such as BDNF (Sasahara et al., 2007). This emphasizes a potential novel bridge between neurosteroidogenesis and motor learning, with possible therapeutical implications in developmental disorders.

The engrailed (En) homeobox transcription factor family is critical for the patterning of cerebellar lobules and for Purkinje cells protein stripes (Kuemerle et al., 1997). The En1/2 regulates the targeting of mossy fiber systems to subsets of cerebellar lobules, showing a main role for the afferent topography in the cerebellar circuitry (Sillitoe et al., 2010). Initially, the En1/2 mRNA/protein are expressed in the ventricular zone. During early post-natal cerebellogenesis, En1/2 are expressed in spatially restricted patterns in most cell types. It is plausible that En1/2 are implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (see also below). Indeed, mutant mice EN2−/− show neurobehavioral and neurochemical deficits suggestive of autism spectrum disorder (Cheh et al., 2006).

The specification and differentiation of glutamatergic lineages is dependent upon Math1, a transcription factor of the bHLH class. Math1 is critical for the proper development of the granular layer of the cerebellum. Mice deficient in Math1 show a loss of glutamatergic neurons in cerebellar nuclei, a loss of external granular layer and unipolar brush cells. In addition, Math1 null embryos lack interneurons giving rise to the spinocerebellar and cuneocerebellar tracts (Bermingham et al., 2001).

Cerebelless mutants have a deficit in the transcription factor Ptf1a (pancreatic transcription factor 1a). They show a lack of Purkinje cells and gabaergic interneurons. It has been demonstrated that climbing fiber neurons are derived from the Ptf1a domain (Yamada et al., 2007). In Ptf1a null mutants, immature climbing fiber neurons cannot migrate or differentiate, causing a failure in the formation of the inferior olivary nucleus. Ptf1a is also involved in the control of fate and survival of neurons during development. In human, mutations of Ptf1a are associated with cerebellar agenesis (Sellick et al., 2004).

Ascl1 directs ventricular neuroepithelium progenitors toward inhibitory interneuron fate and suppresses the astrocytic differentiation (Grimaldi et al., 2009). Mice lacking Ascl1 in the cerebellum exhibit a major decrease of cerebellar interneurons and an imbalance between oligodendrocytes and astrocytes (Sudarov et al., 2011).

Rora is a transcription factor encoding a retinoid-like nuclear receptor which is highly expressed in the cerebellum (Hamilton et al., 1996). Rora belongs to the steroid-thyroid hormone receptor superfamily (Koibuchi, 2008). Its endogenous ligand is cholesterol which is abundantly present in each cell. Therefore, Rora acts as if it is a constitutively active nuclear receptor (Koibuchi, 2008). It was initially thought that Rora was exclusively expressed in neurons, but recent data show that it is also expressed in glial cells especially in astrocytes (Journiac et al., 2009). Rora plays a pivotal role in the development of the cerebellum, olfactory bulb, and retina (Jetten, 2009). However, its functions extend beyond development. For instance, Rora also protects neurons against oxidative stress and shows an anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the NF-Kappa-B pathway (Delerive et al., 2001; Boukhtouche et al., 2006).

The autosomal recessive staggerer mutation is associated with a severe degeneration of Purkinje neurons with a nearly total absence of granule cells at the end of the first postnatal month (Landis and Sidman, 1978). The homozygous mouse Rora^sg/Rara^sg is highly ataxic, whereas the heterozygous mouse Rora⁺/Rara^sg appears phenotypically normal, showing disabilities during challenging tasks.

The external granular layer promotes Purkinje cell migration by secreting reelin (RELN), an extracellular matrix component attracting or repealing precursors and axons during development, acting as an extracellular signaling molecule. Reelin deficient mice (Reeler) show a severe cerebellar hypoplasia. They exhibit Purkinje cell migration defects and cerebellar nuclei are impaired. Foliation is absent. Reelin continues exerting activities beyond birth. It modulates long-term potentiation and is thus involved in learning (Beffert et al., 2004). In the adult brain, Reelin regulates structural and functional properties of synapses. Its overexpression may increase markedly the long-term potentiation responses and it has been proposed that Reelin controls developmental processes remaining active in the adult brain (Pujadas et al., 2010). In human, reelin might be implicated in some forms of lissencephaly (due to neuronal migration defect) and could contribute to the pathogenesis of autism (Figure 2).

Chemokines and their receptors are determinant in cell migration and in organogenesis (Zou et al., 1998). CRXC4 and CXL12 mutant mice show proliferating granule cell progenitors located in deeper location (Zou et al., 1998). Down-regulation of CXCR4 causes an inward radial migration of granule cells precursors. The chemoattractant SDF-1α and its receptor CXCR4 attract the cerebellar granular neuronal precursors to the outer external granular layer and promote an increase of the sonic hedgehog mitogenic effect (see next section).

Sonic hedgehog is highly expressed in the cerebellum (Vaillant and Monard, 2009). Sonic hedgehog is a morphogenetic factor which is a masterplayer in cerebellar patterning and foliation (Vaillant and Monard, 2009). Indeed, sonic hedgehog controls the proliferation of progenitors in the cerebellum (Figure 3). Sonic hedgehog pathway involves the GLI family of transcription factors. The binding of sonic hedgehog to the transmembrane receptor Patched 1 triggers a cascade of events tuning cAMP production (DeCamp et al., 2000). A link between cholesterol metabolism, sonic hedgehog and cerebellar development has been established. Indeed, cholesterol deficiencies are associated with defects in the sonic hedgehog signaling (cholesterol is an activator of sonic hedgehog) and cause cerebellar malformations (Lanoue et al., 1997). Hypoplasia of the cerebellum is classically associated with the Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome, an autosomal recessive syndrome with multiple congenital malformations, which is due to defects in cholesterol homeostasis (Dehart et al., 1997). Sonic hedgehog exerts critical mitogenic functions (Vaillant and Monard, 2009). For instance, sonic hedgehog stimulates very strongly the proliferation of cerebellar granular neuronal precursors through the induction and repression of cell cycle regulators genes (Wechsler-Reya and Scott, 1999). Blocking GLI2 causes a failure in the development of cerebellar granular neuronal precursors, ending in cerebellar hypoplasia (Corrales et al., 2004). In addition, sonic hedgehog contributes to cerebellar cortex development by promoting Bergmann glia proliferation and thus contributing to the migration support (Corrales et al., 2006; Vaillant and Monard, 2009). While delection of sonic hedgehog leads to an absence of foliation and underdevelopment of the cerebellum, the sonic hedgehog mutants show a larger cerebellum, even with an extra-lobule, demonstrating how sonic hedgehog determines cerebellar morphology and shape (Corrales et al., 2006). Cyclins D1 and D2 are transcriptional targets of sonic hedgehog. Delection of cyclin D2 is associated with a mild hypoplastic cerebellum (Huard et al., 1999).

The extra-cellular matrix undergoes a substantial remodeling during cerebellar development, providing cues for division or differentiation according to its content (Vaillant et al., 1999; Vaillant and Monard, 2009). Laminin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans increase the mitogenic effects of sonic hedgehog (Rubin et al., 2002).

Sonic hedgehog pathway is also controlled by negative regulators, such as PACAP (pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide). Knock-out mice for PACAP show an overactive sonic hedgehog pathway with enlargement of the external granular layer (Nicot et al., 2002). Sonic hedgehog is also deactivated by FGF-2, which triggers the differentiation of neural precursors of granule cells (Fogarty et al., 2007).

Sonic hedgehog is implicated in the formation of medulloblastoma, an aggressive tumor of the cerebellum. Mutations of the PTC receptor lead to an overactivation of sonic hedgehog (Vaillant and Monard, 2009). The overexpression of sonic hedgehog in neural progenitors of the cerebellum causes a medulloblastoma (Weiner et al., 2002). GLI1 expression is markedly increased in a subgroup of patients developing a medulloblastoma (Ferretti et al., 2008). Development of sonic hedgehog antagonists might be considered to manage this tumor.

Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd), an autosomal recessive mutation in the mouse, causes the postnatal death of nearly all cerebellar Purkinje cells during the third and fourth postnatal week (Landis and Mullen, 1978; Sotelo and Alvarado-Mallart, 1986). This strain has undergone an extensive investigation (Wang and Morgan, 2007). Several independent phenotypic alleles have been identified with mutations in the Nna1 gene. The model is characterized by a moderate ataxia developing between three and four weeks of age. The degeneration of Purkinje neurons begins around 18 days and progresses quickly over two weeks. At about four months, most of the Purkinje neurons have degenerated. Before Purkinje cells start degenerating, they appear to receive all their synaptic contacts (Landis and Mullen, 1978). The mice show impaired eyeblink conditioning and abnormal spatial navigation learning.

Proteins with HECT domains act as ubiquitin ligases. Recently, it has been shown that mutations in the highly conserved N-terminal RCC1-like domain of the HERC1 protein cause a progressive Purkinje cell loss leading to severe ataxia with reduced growth and lifespan in homozygous mice aged over two months (tambaleante mutant mice; Mashimo et al., 2009). Activities of the proteins encoded by the HERC gene family are critical in a number of important cellular processes such as cell cycle, cell signaling, and membrane trafficking. It is now established that they play a key contribution in the physiology of Purkinje neurons.

The olivocerebellar tract plays a major role in the control and regulation of the striated muscle system, although non-exclusively. Several authors have pointed out its contribution in motor learning (Apps and Lee, 2002). After leaving the inferior olive nucleus, the olivocerebellar axon crosses the midline between the bilateral olives and enters the cerebellum via the contralateral inferior cerebellar peduncle. The axon ramifies into thick branches and thin collaterals. Climbing fibers are characterized by strong synaptic connections to Purkinje cells with an exclusive one-to-one relationship (Eccles et al., 1966; Sugihara, 2006). There is an average of 6.6 climbing fibers per axon in adult rats (Sugihara et al., 2001). Climbing fibers originating from one axon send thin collaterals to cerebellar nuclei and the granular layer, and end in a narrow longitudinal band called microzone (Sugihara et al., 1999). During normal development, the olivocerebellar axon undergoes a remodeling to reach the final configuration (Sugihara, 2006). Studies in newborn rats at postnatal days 4–7 (P4–P7) have shown that there are many more nuclear collaterals and swellings as compared to adult olivocerebellar axons, with swellings more densely packed (Sugihara, 2006). The basic organization of the olivocerebellar tract is reached at P4–P7, since the paths and destinations of the collaterals (cerebellar nuclei and the granular layer) are nearly identical with the adult configuration. The microzonal distribution is already present, suggesting that the pattern of projection is determined by a molecular recognition mechanism that is active from the beginning of the formation of the olivocerebellar projection. (Sugihara, 2005, 2006). Nevertheless, immature—so-called “nest”—climbing fibers can be distinguished from adult climbing fibers by their morphological aspect. As pointed by Sugihara, nest-type climbing fibers are characterized by a dense aggregation of swellings around the soma of a Purkinje cell with a few long fibers extending outside the aggregation. At the nest stage, Purkinje cell shows a single apical dendrite beginning to grow while other short protrusions in the soma vanish. The terminal arbor of the climbing fiber moves upwards to cover the stem of the apical dendrite (‘capuchon’ or ‘hood’) and to cover the dendritic tree proximally (mature climbing fiber) over the next 10 days (Mason et al., 1990). Before the nest period, the terminal portion of olivocerebellar axons (still called ‘climbing fibers’) creeps between Purkinje cells aligned in the multiple-cellular layer. They are designated as “creeper” (Chedotal and Sotelo, 1993). The “transitional type” has a terminal arbor with features intermediate between those of the nest and the creeper types (Sugihara, 2005). Transitional-type terminal arbors are characterized by thin terminal fibers with moderate aggregations of swellings around Purkinje cells. Other types include the “atrophic nest,” with less swellings and smaller harbors as compared to the full nest. It is assumed that the remodeling of climbing fibers is mainly due to local factors in the cerebellar cortex, rather than an intrinsic programming (Sugihara, 2006). Because both the granular layer and the nest-type climbing fibers emerge early in the vermis, it has been suggested that the granule cells and their parallel fibers might subserve the remodeling of nascent climbing fibers.

Another major event is the decrease in the number of climbing fibers (Crépel et al., 1976). The elimination of supernumerary climbing fibers will reduce the ratios climbing fibers/single axons from 100 (creeper stage) at P5 up to about seven for the adult stage, indicating an important retraction or pruning phenomenon (Sugihara, 2006). Glia likely controls this mechanism (Awasaki and Ito, 2004). The change from a multiple innervation of Purkinje cells by climbing fibers to a monoinnervation is observed during the first two and three postnatal weeks in rodents (Scelfo and Strata, 2005). A competition occurs between multiple climbing fibers at the level of the soma and the proximal dendrite of the Purkinje neuron, with elimination of climbing fibers except one (Hashimoto and Kano, 2003). There is a general agreement that climbing fiber remodeling from the creeper to the nest type is a major event for the synaptic maturation and the initial selection process (Sugihara, 2006).

Interestingly, targeted deletion of mGluR1 gene causes both developmental defects and dysfunction of the cerebellum. mGluR1−/− mice exhibit abnormal regression of multiple climbing fiber innervation, impaired long-term depression, and abnormal motor coordination (Ichise et al., 2000). This illustrates that a receptor is involved both in developmental processes and synaptic plasticity, providing a bridge between these neurobiological processes.

The changes in the olivocerebellar system reported above are fundamental events linking development and learning. They are a prerequisite to reach functional olivocerebellar units. Cerebella which have been degranulated by post-natal X-ray exposure show a multiple innervation of Purkinje neurons by climbing fibers which is maintained (Mariani et al., 1990).

Following unilateral transection of climbing fibers early in development, the contralateral inferior olive degenerates. New axons emerging from the unaffected inferior olive reach the denervated hemicerebellum to partly recreate the olivocerebellar circuit (Sugihara et al., 2003). This reinnervation is associated with an improvement in motor abilities (Dixon et al., 2005). It has been shown that the amount of transcommissural reinnervation is directly correlated with spatial performance (Willson et al., 2007). Partial circuit repair confers a significant benefit from the functional point of view. The neonatal period might be particularly suited for procedures aiming to assist, promote, or guide reinnervation.

Innervation of multiple climbing fibers onto Purkinje cells may persist in adulthood in protein kinase C-gamma mutant mice (Chen et al., 1995). These mutant mice exhibit an impaired motor coordination but both eyeblink conditioning and cerebellar long-term depression are preserved. This latter phenomenon had been considered as a prerequisite for cerebellar motor learning, but recent studies show no motor learning impairment in mutant mice lacking parallel fiber-Purkinje neuron synapses long-term depression, demonstrating that this is not an essential step for cerebellar motor learning (Schonewille et al., 2011).

Compensatory mechanisms occur also for genetically determined mutant mice such as Lurcher, which represents a natural model of olivocerebellar degeneration (Cendelín et al., 2009). They carry a mutation of the glutamate receptor delta2-subunit gene which is predominantly expressed by Purkinje neurons (Zuo et al., 1997). Homozygous mutants are not viable. A complete postnatal loss of Purkinje cells and a secondary decrease in the number of granule cells/inferior olive neurons occurs. Granule cells and neurons of the inferior olive degenerate due to the loss of Purkinje neurons (Wetts and Herrup, 1982). The lack of proliferation of granule cells precursors is primarily due to the deficit in the mitogenic effects of sonic hedgehog (Sajan et al., 2010). The degeneration of Purkinje neurons is complete at P90. Young adult heterozygous Lurcher mice constitute an excellent model to investigate the role of the cerebellar cortex in motor performance—including the acquisition of new motor abilities—due to the early postnatal degeneration of nearly all Purkinje and granular cells. They show compensatory adjustments in the correlations of firings between cerebellar nuclei and brainstem nuclei such as red nuclei (Porras-García et al., 2010).

Thanks to novel perinatal neuroimaging techniques, cerebellar malformations are increasingly recognized in the fetal period (Bolduc et al., 2011). A typical example is Joubert syndrome. The disorder presents with developmental delay, hypotonia, impaired respiration, abnormal eye movements, and ataxia (Joubert et al., 1969). Motor learning is strongly impaired. The “Molar tooth sign” (deep interpeduncular fossa, enlarged superior cerebellar peduncles which are more horizontally oriented and hypoplastic cerebellar vermis) is very suggestive. Joubert syndrome is associated with mutations of genes encoding components of the primary cilia. Interestingly, primary cilia are determinant for sonic hedgehog signal transduction (Vaillant and Monard, 2009). Disruption of primary cilia formation blocks the proliferation of neural progenitors of granule cells mediated by sonic hedgehog (Spassky et al., 2008).

Another disorder clearly associated with learning disabilities is rhombencephalosynapsis, a malformation of the hindbrain characterized by fusion of the cerebellar hemispheres and dentate nuclei. It is assumed that the disorder is due to a failure of dorsal patterning at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (Pasquier et al., 2009). Other cerebellar malformations which are encountered in daily practice include Dandy–Walker malformation, vermis hypoplasia, mega cisterna magna, and posterior fossa retrocerebellar cyst. Sonic hedgehog might also be involved in the pathogenesis of Dandy–Walker malformation through a contribution of Zinc finger transcription factors which modulate the sonic hedgehog pathway (Aruga, 2004).

Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by difficulties in communication, social skills, and repetitive behavior. Cerebellar networks might be critically involved in the pathogenesis of autism. An immune dysfunction with local inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of autism (Wei et al., 2011). The expression of IL-6 is increased in the cerebellum of autistic patients. IL-6 impacts upon the development of the cerebellum, impairing neural cell adhesion, migration, and causing an excessive formation of excitatory synapses (Wei et al., 2011).

Recent studies underline the a high prevalence of neurologic, developmental, and functional disabilities including motor, cognitive, language, and social-behavioral deficits in children with cerebellar malformations (Bolduc et al., 2011). The associated supratentorial anomalies, chromosomal findings, and malformations affecting the cerebellar vermis are independent predictors of neurodevelopmental disabilities. Furthermore, the associated supratentorial anomalies and chromosomal findings are predictive of cognitive impairment, gross and fine motor delay. Moreover, malformations of the vermis are predictors of gross motor delays (Bolduc et al., 2011). There is a clear need for early intervention services aiming to improve the daily care of these patients, especially when gross motor impairments and learning deficits are on the forefront of the syndrome.

Very premature birth (less than 32 weeks of gestation) may impact upon the cerebellar development, with consequences upon cognition and behavior. The prevalence of preterm birth is estimated to 5–9% (Spreen et al., 1995). The prevalence of very preterm birth is about 0.9%. Several disabilities have a higher incidence in preterms, such as developmental delay, learning deficits, cerebral palsy, and sensory impairments. The most preterm infants often show the most severe disabilities. Neonates following a gestation of less than 32 weeks are developmentally immature and their brain is particularly susceptible. Several types of brain injury have been reported, such as periventricular hemorrhage and hemorrhagic infarction, periventricular leukomalacia, and diffuse white matter injury. The injury of the white matter is now detected in the majority of very premature neonates (Dyet et al., 2006). These findings may occur in the cerebellum as well, and are often associated with a development delay of the posterior fossa structures, often reduced in size (Figure 4). There is a correlation between the MRI findings and the psychomotor outcome (Drobyshevsky et al., 2007). Although Purkinje neurons and neurons of the cerebellar nuclei develop early in utero, the granule cells show developmental/migrational processes occurring during the last trimester. Therefore, a hemorrhage in the cerebellum will impair these processes. Indeed, premature neonates are at risk for cerebellar hemorrhage. The hemorrhage may be unilateral and associated with extra-cerebellar lesions (Limperopoulos et al., 2005). Neonates with a cerebellar hemorrhage show a slower cerebellar growth. The mortality is higher in this case. It is estimated that the maximal cerebellar vulnerability is between 26 and 28 weeks (Limperopoulos et al., 2005). Cerebellar development may also be affected by extra-cerebellar lesions, as a result of loss of trophic actions exerted by pathways projecting to the cerebellum. Contralateral cerebellar atrophy can also occur as the result of a supratentorial lesion.

The likelihood to present sensori-motor combined with cognitive disabilities is higher in case of very premature birth. It has been shown that there is higher risk to develop psychiatric/behavioral disorders later in life (Byrne et al., 2007). Premature children are at higher risk to develop autism or autism spectrum disorders (Limperopoulos et al., 2008). There is growing evidence that the cerebellum plays key-roles in the pathogenesis of autism, as pointed out earlier. Individuals born very preterm tend to have lower IQs as compared to matched controls and often show trends toward academic difficulties in adolescence and young adulthood (Allin et al., 2008; Narberhaus et al., 2009). Volumetric studies performed in adolescents with a history of very preterm birth have shown reduced cerebellar size, especially in the lateral lobes which are known to participate in cognitive operations (Allin et al., 2005). Regional gray matter volumes are reduced in sensorimotor and parieto-occipital regions.

The recent fMRI study of visuo-perceptual learning processing in adults born very preterm has shown an increased BOLD signal response as compared to controls during the recognition phase in the right cerebellum and in the anterior cingulate gyri (Narberhaus et al., 2009). However, this disappeared after controlling for the probability of the absolute amount of gray matter in the hippocampus. The authors have hypothesized that cerebellar atrophy associated with hippocampal atrophy, affect cerebellar activation only when hippocampal size is not accounted for. It seems that very preterm individuals have a less efficient neural processing.

It is currently unclear how very preterm birth impacts upon epigenetic factors. Still, this is a question of great interest. Certain molecules, like BDNF, play major roles in cerebellar development and are involved in the recovery from hypoxia in the neonatal period (Almli et al., 2000).

Developmental dyslexia can be defined as “a disorder in children who, despite conventional classroom experience, fail to attain the language skills of reading, writing, and spelling commensurate with their intellectual abilities” (according to the World Federation of Neurology). Its prevalence is very high, from 3% to 10% of learning disabilities (Bishop and Snowling, 2004). Skills in children are very heterogeneous. There is evidence that dyslexia is associated with mild clumsiness and deficit in fine motor skills (Nicolson and Fawcett, 2011). Dyslexia is associated with difficulties in making skills automatic (Nicolson and Fawcett, 1990). Most patients exhibit balance difficulties. The hypothesis of a cerebellar dysfunction is straightforward given the major role played by the cerebellum in learning, automaticity of skills and its contribution to language (Nicolson et al., 1995). An ontogenetic framework has been proposed to explain how cerebellar differences at birth cause a range of difficulties in children (Nicolson and Fawcett, 2011). The language-related regions of the cerebellum, namely lobules VI and VIIB, would be affected in dyslexia. Procedural learning circuits involving the cerebellum would be primarily affected. An abnormal development of the brain, including the cerebellum, during the gestation has been proposed. Genetic investigations will very likely lead to the discovery of the mechanisms leading to some of these learning disabilities.

In this mini-review, we have summarized recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanism governing cerebellar development. We have discussed the complex interactions between cerebellar development and motor learning. The identification of several pathways which are potential targets for novel therapies in the future, such as cerebellar neurosteroidogenesis, En1/2, Math1, Ptf1a, Rora, or sonic hedgehog, is now bringing hope in a field which has often remained neglected because of a lack of understanding of the molecular events leading to the malformations. There is still a growing need to identify new targets, since neurodevelopmental disorders are heterogeneous and will impact upon the whole life of patients in most cases. Protecting the developing cerebellum—a concept which could be called cerebelloprotection—is now attracting the interest of the scientific community, especially with discoveries of the roles of the cerebellum in cognitive skills. Very preterm neonates are an example of a population of patients at risk and which could benefit from neuroprotecting actions.