cerebellar cortex morphogenesis

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process in which the anatomical structure of the cranial nerves are generated and organized. The cerebellar cortex is a thin mantle of gray matter that covers the surface of each cerebral hemisphere. It has a characteristic morphology with convolutions (gyri) and crevices (sulci) that have specific functions. Six layers of nerve cells and the nerve pathways that connect them comprise the cerebellar cortex. Together, these regions are responsible for the processes of conscious thought, perception, emotion and memory as well as advanced motor function. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid, ISBN:0838580343]

The cerebellar cortex, a crucial brain structure for motor coordination and learning, undergoes a complex developmental process known as morphogenesis. This intricate process involves a series of precisely orchestrated events that transform a simple neuroepithelium into a highly organized and functional structure. It begins with the formation of the cerebellar primordium, a bulge in the dorsal hindbrain, which then undergoes a series of cell divisions, migrations, and differentiations.

The first step involves the generation of cerebellar granule cell precursors (GCPs) from the external germinal layer (EGL) which is located on the surface of the developing cerebellum. These GCPs then migrate inward, forming the internal granular layer (IGL). The EGL progressively shrinks as GCPs migrate, eventually disappearing.

Concurrently, Purkinje neurons, the principal neurons of the cerebellar cortex, differentiate from the ventricular zone, which is located inside the developing cerebellum. These cells migrate outward to form the Purkinje cell layer, located between the IGL and the molecular layer. The molecular layer is the outermost layer of the cerebellar cortex and is populated by interneurons, including stellate and basket cells, as well as parallel fibers, the axons of granule cells.

During the migration of granule cells and Purkinje neurons, the cerebellar cortex develops a characteristic "foliated" structure. This is due to the formation of folds or "folia" in the cerebellar cortex, which increase the surface area of the cerebellar cortex and provide more space for neuronal connections.

As the cerebellar cortex matures, the EGL is depleted and the GCPs migrate to the IGL, forming a dense layer of granule cells. These cells send their axons, known as parallel fibers, to the molecular layer where they synapse with Purkinje cells and interneurons. The Purkinje cells, in turn, project their axons to the deep cerebellar nuclei, which relay information to other brain regions, including the motor cortex.

The development of the cerebellar cortex is highly regulated by various signaling pathways and transcription factors. These factors control the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of cerebellar neurons and glia, as well as the formation of synaptic connections. Genetic mutations or disruptions in these pathways can lead to cerebellar malformations and neurological disorders.

The precise coordination of these cellular events ensures the proper formation and functioning of the cerebellar cortex, which is essential for motor control, learning, and cognitive function. '
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Proteins (5)

Compounds (91)