bims-climfi Biomed News
on Cerebellar cortical circuitry
Issue of 2022–04–10
two papers selected by
Jun Maruta, Mount Sinai Health System
  1. What Can We Learn from Synaptic Connectivity Maps about Cerebellar Internal Models?
  2. Discovering Microcircuit Secrets With Multi-Spot Imaging and Electrophysiological Recordings: The Example of Cerebellar Network Dynamics.
  1. Cerebellum. 2022 Apr 07.
    What Can We Learn from Synaptic Connectivity Maps about Cerebellar Internal Models?
    Ludovic Spaeth, Philippe Isope.
      The cerebellum is classically associated with fine motor control, motor learning, and timing of actions. However, while its anatomy is well described and many synaptic plasticity have been identified, the computation performed by the cerebellar cortex is still debated. We, here, review recent advances on how the description of the functional synaptic connectivity between granule cells and Purkinje cells support the hypothesis that the cerebellum stores internal models of the body coordinates. We propose that internal models are specific of the task and of the locomotor context of each individual.
    Keywords:  cerebellum; internal models; sensorimotor adaptation; synaptic transmission
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12311-022-01392-6
  2. Front Cell Neurosci. 2022 ;16 805670
    Discovering Microcircuit Secrets With Multi-Spot Imaging and Electrophysiological Recordings: The Example of Cerebellar Network Dynamics.
    Marialuisa Tognolina, Anita Monteverdi, Egidio D'Angelo.
      The cerebellar cortex microcircuit is characterized by a highly ordered neuronal architecture having a relatively simple and stereotyped connectivity pattern. For a long time, this structural simplicity has incorrectly led to the idea that anatomical considerations would be sufficient to understand the dynamics of the underlying circuitry. However, recent experimental evidence indicates that cerebellar operations are much more complex than solely predicted by anatomy, due to the crucial role played by neuronal and synaptic properties. To be able to explore neuronal and microcircuit dynamics, advanced imaging, electrophysiological techniques and computational models have been combined, allowing us to investigate neuronal ensembles activity and to connect microscale to mesoscale phenomena. Here, we review what is known about cerebellar network organization, neural dynamics and synaptic plasticity and point out what is still missing and would require experimental assessments. We consider the available experimental techniques that allow a comprehensive assessment of circuit dynamics, including voltage and calcium imaging and extracellular electrophysiological recordings with multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). These techniques are proving essential to investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of activity and plasticity in the cerebellar network, providing new clues on how circuit dynamics contribute to motor control and higher cognitive functions.
    Keywords:  cerebellar circuit; cerebellar neurons; input processing; multi-electrode arrays (MEAs); multi-spot recordings; optical imaging techniques; short-term synaptic plasticity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2022.805670
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