Islands of Calleja

Islands of Calleja are a group of granule cells located in the olfactory tubercle and nucleus accumbens of the brain. They were first described by the Spanish neurologist Felix Calleja in 1893. These islands are clusters of granule cells that are surrounded by a sea of larger cells, hence the name "Islands of Calleja".

Structure

The Islands of Calleja are located in the ventral striatum, specifically in the olfactory tubercle and the nucleus accumbens. They are composed of densely packed granule cells, which are small neurons that play a crucial role in the processing of information in the brain. These islands are surrounded by a sea of larger cells, which gives them their distinctive appearance and name.

Function

The exact function of the Islands of Calleja is still not fully understood. However, they are believed to play a role in the processing of olfactory information and in the regulation of reward-related behaviors. Some studies have suggested that they may also be involved in the regulation of mood and emotion.

Clinical significance

Alterations in the structure or function of the Islands of Calleja have been associated with several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. However, more research is needed to fully understand the role of these islands in these disorders.

History

The Islands of Calleja were first described by the Spanish neurologist Felix Calleja in 1893. Since then, they have been the subject of numerous studies, but their exact function and significance in the brain remain a topic of ongoing research.

See also

• Olfactory tubercle
• Nucleus accumbens
• Ventral striatum
• Granule cell

References

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