Evaluation of multiple-session eyeblink conditioning comparing patients with focal cerebellar lesions and cerebellar degeneration

Introduction: Superior parts of the cerebellum have been shown to be critically involved in eyeblink conditioning. The cerebellar function in associative learning has been related to acquisition, but also appropriate timing of conditioned responses (CRs). The aim of the present study was to analyze incidences and timing of CRs across three conditioning sessions on three consecutive days. Methods: A standard delay paradigm (a 540ms tone coterminating with a 100ms air-puff) was used in 9 patients with pure cortical cerebellar degeneration, 13 patients with focal ischemic cerebellar lesions, and 13 controls. Focal…