Author's Response to Reviews Reviewer: Neeltje Van Haren

Title: Cortico-cerebellar functional connectivity and sequencing of movements in schizophrenia Authors: Tomas Kasparek ([email protected]) Jitka Rehulova ([email protected]) Milos Kerkovsky ([email protected]) Marek Mechl ([email protected]) Author's response to reviews: see over Dear editors, we would like to submit a revised version of the manuscript no. 2084087935628707-Cortico-cerebellar functional connectivity and sequencing of movements in schizophrenia. We corrected the manuscript according to the suggestions provided by the reviewers-for a detailed list see the point-by-point response to the reviewers included in this cover letter. The main changes included the recalculation of the statistics after inclusion only of the right-handed subjects, as reviewer 2 requested. The results remained basically the same. Reviewer's report: The authors focus on the abnormalities that are present in patients with schizophrenia while executing movements in a sequence. As such motor acts require correct integration of cortico-subcortical processes, among others with the cerebellum, the authors assume that abnormal connectivity between cortical and cerebellar regions results in cognitive dysmetria. A total of 29 patients and 29 controls underwent an fMRI experiment performing a modified finger tapping task. In addition the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NESSQ) was administered. Patients with sequencing abnormalities showed less connectivity in motorcortex – cerebellum and supplementary motor cortex – cerebellum relative to patients without these abnormalities. The authors conclude that abnormal cortico-cerebellar functional connectivity is linked with movement sequencing abnormalities in schizophrenia, but not with the diagnosis of schizophrenia per se. This is an interesting approach and studies involving the cerebellum are relatively rare. I have a few issues: Introduction: The authors introduce a rather narrow definition of neurological soft signs, i.e. " Abnormalities of the motor system… " while in my opinion neurological soft signs are minor neurological signs indicating non-specific cerebral dysfunction. Please rephrase this. Corrected.