Purkinje cells

Purkinje cells (or Purkinje neurons) are a class of GABAergic neurons located in the cerebellum. They are named after their discoverer, Czech anatomist Jan Evangelista Purkyně.

Anatomy

Purkinje cells are some of the largest neurons in the human brain. They are characterized by a highly elaborate dendritic arbor, a large number of synaptic contacts, and a distinctive, flask-like shape. The primary function of the Purkinje cell is to modulate the firing rates of the deep cerebellar nuclei.

Function

Purkinje cells play a crucial role in motor coordination. They receive two types of input: climbing fibers and mossy fibers. Climbing fibers originate from the inferior olivary nucleus, and each fiber forms multiple synapses on the proximal dendrites. Mossy fibers come from various parts of the brain and spinal cord, and each fiber forms a single synapse on the distal dendrites.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in Purkinje cells have been implicated in several neurological disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, and spinocerebellar ataxias. In addition, loss of Purkinje cells is a characteristic feature of cerebellar atrophy.

History

Purkinje cells were first discovered in 1837 by Czech anatomist Jan Evangelista Purkyně, who described them as "large ganglion cells" in the cerebellum.

See also

• Neuron
• Cerebellum
• Neuroscience