Research progress of cerebellar functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging revealing motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson′s disease

Parkinson′s disease (PD) is a prevalent and complex neurodegenerative disorder that can induce a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. Although the neuropathological hallmark of PD primarily manifests as degeneration of the nigrostriatal system, a growing body of evidence indicates that the cerebellum not only collaborates with structures such as the basal ganglia and thalamus in regulating motor functions but also plays a crucial role in modulating non-motor symptoms including cognition, emotion, and sleep. In recent years, multiple studies have demonstrated that functional and structural changes in the cerebellum of PD patients can be revealed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, offering new perspectives for understanding the diverse motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. This article aimed to summarize the research findings on cerebellar functional and structural MRI imaging in PD patients, with the objective of thoroughly exploring the impact of the cerebellum on various symptoms of PD and its underlying mechanisms, thereby providing a solid imaging basis for clinical translation.