Abstract
This schematic drawing shows the most relevant connections within a cerebellar module. The mossy fibers contact granule cells (GrC) and deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) cells which, in turn, receive inhibition from the same common set of Purkinje cells (PC). Moreover, the interior olive (IO) cells emit climbing fibers that contact DCN cells and Purkinje cells (PC), which also project to the same DCN cells. An activate group of GrCs is in (red), while others (yellow) are laterally inhibited by the GoCs. The active GrCs excite the overlaying PCs (dark red) according to a vertical organization pattern (Bower and Woolston, 1983). The PCs inhibit DCN neurons which in turn inhibit the IO neurons. Note that, within a cerebellar module, different circuit elements communicate in closed loops. The mossy fibers contact granule cells and DCN cells which, in turn, receive inhibition from the same common set of Purkinje cells. Moreover, the IO cells emit climbing fibers that contact DCN and PC, which also project to the same DCN cells.
Highlights
The cerebellum has traditionally provided an ideal case for investigating the relationship between cellular neurophysiology and circuit functions, because of the limited number of neuronal types and the regular organization of its internal network (Figure 1)
The papers in this special issue are focused on the relationship between cellular properties and circuit responses, which hold the key to control spike timing and long-term synaptic plasticity (Hansel et al, 2001; De Zeeuw and Yeo, 2005; D’Angelo and De Zeeuw, 2009; D’Angelo et al, 2009) and eventually cerebellar functioning
Despite the wealth of available information, outstanding issues remain open about the spatial organization of granular layer activity, the discharge of Purkinje cells and deep cerebellar neurons, the mechanisms of circuit inhibition, the forms of long-term synaptic plasticity and their relationship with behavior
Summary
The cerebellum has traditionally provided an ideal case for investigating the relationship between cellular neurophysiology and circuit functions, because of the limited number of neuronal types and the regular organization of its internal network (Figure 1). The papers in this special issue are focused on the relationship between cellular properties and circuit responses, which hold the key to control spike timing and long-term synaptic plasticity (Hansel et al, 2001; De Zeeuw and Yeo, 2005; D’Angelo and De Zeeuw, 2009; D’Angelo et al, 2009) and eventually cerebellar functioning. Despite the wealth of available information, outstanding issues remain open about the spatial organization of granular layer activity, the discharge of Purkinje cells and deep cerebellar neurons, the mechanisms of circuit inhibition, the forms of long-term synaptic plasticity and their relationship with behavior.
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