# Functional role of the neocortico-rubro-olivo-cerebellar circuit on neocortex-induced cerebellar motor learning

> **NIH NIH R34** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $720,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The cerebellum performs information processing for motor control and various cognitive functions in
cooperation with the cerebral neocortex. One of the anatomical bases for this coordination is the projection
from the neocortex to the cerebellum via the parvocellular red nucleus (RNp) and the inferior olive (IO).
Because this circuit contains an olivo-cerebellar projection, which is the pathway for the teaching signal to the
cerebellum, it has been hypothesized that the neocortical signal of the neocortico-rubro-olivo-cerebellar circuit
drives the cerebellar learning to lead the cerebello-neocortical coordination. However, it remains a long-
standing theroretical hypothesis due to the lack of substantive experiments. In order to test the hypothesis for
the first time, I will examine (1) whether a neocortical signal evoked by electrical stimulation can be a teaching
signal to induce cerebellar motor learning, and (2) whether the learning is mediated by the neocortico-rubro-
olivo-cerebellar circuit. This will be accomplished by a new approach using the eyeblink conditioning with
neocortical US signal, because the eyeblink conditioning paradigm can detect the cerebellar component as an
anticipatory eyeblink conditioned response. Also, we will test the cerebellum dependence by inactivating
anterior interpositus nucleus. The results of experiments will reveal the functional role of the neocortico-rubro-
olivo-cerebellar circuit in motor learning and will give us insights into its role in cognitive ability, because the
circuit originates in a wide range of the neocortex including higher cognitive association areas. To understand
a new mechanism for cerebello-neocortical coordination will provide a deeper understanding of the
pathophysiology due to its impairments and lead new treatment and rehabilitation methods.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10053429
- **Project number:** 1R34NS118445-01
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Shogo Ohmae
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $720,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10053429

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10053429, Functional role of the neocortico-rubro-olivo-cerebellar circuit on neocortex-induced cerebellar motor learning (1R34NS118445-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10053429. Licensed CC0.

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