Cholinergic innervation of the human cerebellum

Sonsoles de Lacalle, Louis B. Hersh, Clifford B. Saper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cholinergic innervation of the human cerebellum was investigated immunocytochemically by using a polyclonal rabbit antiserum against choline acetyltransferase. Immunoreactive structures were found throughout the cerebellar cortex but were localized predominantly in the vermis, flocculus, and tonsilla. These included (1) a population of Golgi cells in the granular layer; (2) a subpopulation of mossy fibers and glomerular rosettes; (3) thin, varicose fibers closely associated with the Purkinje cell layer and the molecular layer; and (4) a relatively dense network of fibers and terminals contributing to the glomerular formations in the granular layer. In the cerebellar nuclei, some cells stained positively for choline acetyltransferase, and a terminal field pattern could be detected with a distinct but sparse network of varicose fibers. Acetylcholine appears to be a primary transmitter in the vestibulocerebellar pathways at several levels, which may account for the potent effects of muscarinic antagonists in diminishing vestibular vertigo in humans. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)364-376
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Comparative Neurology
Volume328
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 1993

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute on AgingP01AG009466
National Institute on Aging

    Keywords

    • Golgi cells
    • cerebellar cortex
    • cerebellar nuclei
    • immunohistochemistry
    • mossy fiber

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Neuroscience

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