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Purkinje Cells

All articles tagged with #purkinje cells

science1 month ago•6 min saved

Reviving Purkinje Cell Firing Could Slow Age-Related Mobility Loss

McGill researchers link reduced firing of cerebellar Purkinje cells to age-related declines in gait, balance, and coordination in mice; by using designer receptors (DREADDs) to increase Purkinje cell activity in older animals, motor performance improved on tasks like the Rotarod and a string-pulling task, while decreasing activity in young mice worsened performance, establishing a causal role and offering a potential target to preserve mobility and reduce falls in aging (with implications for neurodegenerative conditions).

via SciTechDaily|

#aging #cerebellum #mice

health1 year ago•5 min saved

Mitochondria's Role in Cerebellar Decline in MS

A study from UC Riverside links mitochondrial dysfunction to the loss of Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum, contributing to motor impairments in MS patients, suggesting that targeting mitochondrial health could help preserve motor control and balance.

via Neuroscience News|

#cerebellum #health #mitochondrial-dysfunction

neuroscience3 years ago•7 min saved

Unveiling the Intricate Network of Cerebellar Connections: Scientists Rewrite Textbooks

Scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered that the prevailing understanding of the connections between Purkinje cells in the cerebellum is incorrect. Contrary to the belief that Purkinje cells have a single main dendrite connecting to one climbing fiber, the researchers found that almost all human Purkinje cells have multiple primary dendrites. Further studies in mice revealed that about 50% of their Purkinje cells also have this complex structure, and of these cells, 25% receive input from multiple climbing fibers that connect with different primary dendrite branches. The findings suggest that the cerebellum's connectivity is more complex than previously thought and may have implications for understanding neurological conditions.

via SciTechDaily|

#brain-connectivity #cerebellum #climbing-fibers

neuroscience3 years ago•8 min saved

Surprising Discoveries: Extensive Brain Cell Connections Found in Cerebellum

New research from the University of Chicago challenges the prevailing belief among neuroscientists that Purkinje cells in the cerebellum have only one primary dendrite. The study shows that nearly all Purkinje cells in the human cerebellum have multiple primary dendrites, a finding supported by observations in mice as well. Additionally, some Purkinje cells receive input from multiple climbing fibers, which connect with different primary dendrite branches. The research suggests that the complex connectivity of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum plays a role in processing sensory information and adapting to changes in the environment or the body.

via Medical Xpress|

#brain-connectivity #cerebellum #neurobiology