Human Cerebellar Granule Cells

Description

Human Cerebellar Granule Cells (GCs) originate from neural precursor cells in the rhombic lip and are localized in the cerebellar granule layer after migration. Following migration, they become one of the most abundant neuron types in the central nervous system. Morphologically, GCs are small in size and densely arranged. As the main excitatory neurons in the cerebellar cortex, GCs are responsible for integrating sensory motor information from the spinal cord and brainstem, and participate in motor coordination, posture control and cognitive function through the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell pathway. This circuitry enables GCs to play crucial roles in motor coordination, fine movement control, and posture maintenance. Emerging evidence also suggests their involvement in specific cognitive functions. Recent studies have revealed that GCs exhibit synaptic plasticity at their mossy fiber synapses, which may contribute to motor learning and adaptation.