Chandelier cell
Chandelier Cell
Chandelier cell (pronunciation: /ʃæn.dəˈlɪər sɛl/) is a type of GABAergic interneuron found in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the mammalian brain. The name "chandelier" is derived from the unique shape of these cells, which is reminiscent of a chandelier.
Etymology
The term "chandelier cell" was coined due to the distinctive shape of the axon terminals, or "cartridges", which resemble the candles on a chandelier. The name was first used in scientific literature in 1982 by Jones and Hendry in their study of the synaptic architecture of the neocortex.
Function
Chandelier cells are known for their role in inhibitory synaptic transmission. They target the axon initial segment (AIS) of pyramidal neurons, which is a critical site for the generation of action potentials. By releasing the neurotransmitter GABA, they can control the output of these neurons and thus play a crucial role in regulating brain activity.
Related Terms
- GABAergic: Referring to neurons that produce GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system.
- Interneuron: A type of neuron that transmits impulses between other neurons, forming circuits within the central nervous system.
- Cerebral Cortex: The outer layer of the cerebrum, involved in many complex brain functions including memory, attention, consciousness, and thought.
- Hippocampus: A region of the brain that plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory, and in spatial memory that enables navigation.
- Axon Initial Segment: The segment of the axon where action potentials are initiated.
- Pyramidal Neurons: A type of neuron found in areas of the brain including the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala. Pyramidal neurons are the primary excitation units of the mammalian prefrontal cortex and the corticospinal tract.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chandelier cell
- Wikipedia's article - Chandelier cell
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski