Basket cells
Basket cells
Basket cells (pronunciation: /ˈbaskɪt sɛlz/) are a type of GABAergic interneuron found in the brain's cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. They play a crucial role in the regulation of neuronal firing, contributing to the overall balance of excitation and inhibition within neural networks.
Etymology
The term "basket cell" is derived from the characteristic appearance of these cells. The axons of basket cells form a network around the cell bodies of other neurons, resembling a woven basket.
Function
Basket cells are inhibitory interneurons that synapse with the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of pyramidal cells and other neurons. They release the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits the activity of these neurons. This inhibition can shape the output of the neural circuit by controlling the timing and frequency of the action potentials that the pyramidal cells and other neurons generate.
Types
There are two main types of basket cells: large basket cells and small basket cells. Large basket cells are found in the cerebellum and have a large, round cell body. Small basket cells are found in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and have a smaller, more elongated cell body.
Related Terms
- Interneuron
- GABAergic
- Cerebral cortex
- Hippocampus
- Cerebellum
- Pyramidal cells
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Basket cells
- Wikipedia's article - Basket cells
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