Masao Ito

Masao Ito

Born	December 4, 1928
Birth place	Nagoya, Japan
Died	December 18, 2018
Place of death	Tokyo, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Known for	Research on the cerebellum
Awards	Japan Academy Prize, Order of Culture

Masao Ito (December 4, 1928 – December 18, 2018) was a renowned Japanese neuroscientist known for his pioneering research on the cerebellum, a region of the brain that plays a critical role in motor control and cognitive functions. His work significantly advanced the understanding of how the cerebellum contributes to learning and memory.

Early Life and Education

Masao Ito was born in Nagoya, Japan. He pursued his medical degree at the University of Tokyo, where he developed an interest in neuroscience. After completing his medical studies, Ito continued his research in neurophysiology, focusing on the mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Research Contributions

Ito's most significant contributions to neuroscience were his studies on the cerebellum. He proposed the theory of "long-term depression" (LTD), a process by which synaptic strength is reduced, which is crucial for motor learning. This theory was a major breakthrough in understanding how the brain adapts and learns new motor skills.

Long-Term Depression (LTD)

Long-term depression is a type of synaptic plasticity that occurs in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Ito's research demonstrated that LTD is induced by the simultaneous activation of parallel fibers and climbing fibers, leading to a decrease in the efficacy of synaptic transmission. This mechanism is essential for the fine-tuning of motor movements and the acquisition of new motor skills.

The Cerebellum and Cognitive Functions

In addition to motor control, Ito's research explored the role of the cerebellum in cognitive functions. He provided evidence that the cerebellum is involved in higher-order processes such as attention, language, and even emotional regulation. This expanded the traditional view of the cerebellum as merely a center for motor coordination.

Career and Legacy

Masao Ito held several prestigious positions throughout his career, including serving as the director of the RIKEN Brain Science Institute. He was a member of numerous scientific societies and received several awards for his contributions to neuroscience, including the Japan Academy Prize and the Order of Culture.

Ito's work has had a lasting impact on the field of neuroscience, influencing both basic research and clinical approaches to neurological disorders. His theories on cerebellar function continue to guide research into motor learning and cognitive neuroscience.

Also see

• Cerebellum
• Synaptic plasticity
• Neuroscience
• Purkinje cell
• Motor learning