Thamires Magalhaes

Abstract Direct communication between the hippocampus and cerebellum has been shown via coactivation and synchronized neuronal oscillations in animal models. Further, this novel cerebello-hippocampal circuit may be impacted by sex steroid hormones. The cerebellum and hippocampus are dense with estradiol and progesterone receptors relative to other brain regions. Females experience up to a 90% decrease in ovarian estradiol production after the menopausal transition.

Abstract Connectivity of somatosensory cortex (S1) and cerebellum with the motor cortex (M1) is critical for balance control. While both S1-M1 and cerebellar-M1 connections are affected with aging, the implications of altered connectivity for balance control are not known. We investigated the relationship between S1-M1 and cerebellar-M1 connectivity and standing balance in middle-aged and older adults.