Evaluating the affective component of the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2009 Summer;21(3):245-53. doi: 10.1176/jnp.2009.21.3.245.

Abstract

The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the affective component of the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome. Depressive and anxiety symptoms and personality changes were more frequent in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia. Patients with cerebellar lesions were more likely to have depression, deficits in the ability to experience emotions, and behavioral difficulties. A meta-analysis revealed modestly higher scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) among patients with cerebellar disease. This review highlights the need for cohort studies using noncerebellar comparison groups, more sensitive measures, and appropriate-sized populations with isolated cerebellar lesions to thoroughly assess the affective component of the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Anxiety / pathology
  • Cerebellar Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cerebellar Diseases / pathology
  • Cerebellar Diseases / psychology
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / pathology
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mood Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mood Disorders / pathology
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / epidemiology
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / pathology
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / psychology
  • Syndrome