Relationships between the Cerebellum and Pain: Experimental Insights from a Rat Model and Human Neuroimaging

Chronic pain greatly reduces quality of life, by disrupting physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. The cerebellum, a region at the base of the brain, may play a role in processing pain, particularly its emotional and mental aspects. Being an understudied relationship, this thesis specifically investigated the role of the cerebellum in chronic pain within rats and in placebo pain relief within humans. Findings showed that the cerebellum, and its communication with other brain regions involved in pain processing, shaped the expression of placebo pain relief. Improved understanding of how the cerebellum regulates pain would enable new avenues for pain management.