Parallel fibers

Parallel fibers are a type of neuron found in the cerebellum, a region of the brain involved in motor control. They are so named because they run parallel to one another in the cerebellar cortex.

Anatomy

Parallel fibers originate from granule cells, the most numerous type of neuron in the brain. They extend horizontally across the cerebellar cortex, intersecting with the dendrites of Purkinje cells, another type of neuron in the cerebellum. This intersection forms a synapse, or connection, allowing for communication between the granule cells and Purkinje cells.

Function

The primary function of parallel fibers is to transmit information from the granule cells to the Purkinje cells. This information is then integrated and processed by the Purkinje cells, contributing to the cerebellum's role in coordinating and fine-tuning motor movements.

Parallel fibers also play a role in plasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences. They are involved in the formation of new synapses and the strengthening of existing ones, processes that are essential for learning and memory.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in parallel fibers can contribute to a variety of neurological disorders. For example, damage to these fibers can result in ataxia, a condition characterized by a lack of coordination and balance. Additionally, alterations in the structure or function of parallel fibers have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

See also

• Neuron
• Cerebellum
• Granule cell
• Purkinje cell
• Ataxia
• Autism
• Schizophrenia