Ataxia and the olivo-cerebellar module.

Ataxia is a neurological symptom characterized by abnormal movement, due to cerebellar malfunction. Although the cause of the malfunction varies, from mutations in calcium or potassium channels to progressive degeneration of cerebellar tissue, the neurological symptoms of cerebellar-related ataxia are similar. In this short review we present a model that portrays the olivo-cerebellar system as a generator of temporal patterns. We then use the model to explain how mutations in different ionic channels located in different parts of the cerebellar system can result in similar neurological symptoms.