Cholinergic innervation of the human cerebellum.
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.
de Lacalle
S
S
Department of Pharmacological, Science and Neurology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637.
Hersh
L B
LB
Saper
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002452:Cell Count; D002525:Cerebellar Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015415:Biomarkers; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase