The cerebellum as a “coupling machine”

Abstract

Recently, one of the authors [9] proposed a theory that the cerebellum works according to a hitherto unknown principle of motor control. The theory claims, that a simple learning process in the cerebellum, the “coupling operation”, is powerful enough to explain the role of the cerebellum in the acquisition and performance of complex motor skills. Already existing theories [1,2,7,8] usually suppose that the task of the cerebellum is to produce fixed, unalterable motor control patterns in response to exactly defined inputs or “contexts”. In contrast, the proposed theory explains how training leads to the ability to perform skilled, highly coordinated, finely tuned situation-specific movements which have never been exercised or done before. According to the model, the cerebellum influences only complex voluntary movements, not simple ones.