The Cerebellum Links to Positive Symptoms of Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Background Positive symptoms of psychosis may be the result faulty coordination and automatization motor higher order cognitive functions, partly due to cerebellar dysfunction. Specifically, auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) have been related altered processing sensory feedback one’s own action. Such alterations highlight role dysfunctional circuitry in psychosis. However, how exactly cerebellum contributes AVH remains unclear. Methods A systematic search electronic databases identified a broad range neuroimaging studies psychotic patients, reporting volume, structural connectivity, or resting-state functional connectivity data. total 22 were selected for review: 11 focused on specific effects probed aggregated positive symptom scores. Meta-analysis was used probe consistency differences their relationship with sociodemographic clinical measures. An exploratory activation likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis tested regional specificity patients such symptoms. Results Cerebellar more consistently associated than measures, particularly when considering These not moderated by age, sex, medication, severity. The ALE meta-analysis revealed spatial convergence these lobules V–VI crus I. Conclusions dysconnectivity might indicate liability AVH, sensorimotor (lobules V–VI) (crus I) zones. abnormalities contribute and, consequently, affect level functions (eg, control) AVH.