Causes and consequences of oscillations in the cerebellar cortex.
Cerebellar high-frequency oscillations have been observed for many decades, but their underlying mechanisms have remained enigmatic. In this issue of Neuron, two papers indicate that specific intrinsic mechanisms in the cerebellar cortex contribute to the generation of these oscillations. Middleton et al. show that GABA(A) receptor activation and nonchemical transmission are required for nicotine-dependent oscillations at 30-80 Hz and 80-160 Hz, respectively, while de Solages et al. provide evidence that recurrent inhibition by Purkinje cells is essential for oscillations around 200 Hz.
Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Sciences (KNAW), 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. c.dezeeuw@erasmusmc.nl
Chris I
CI
De Zeeuw
Freek E
FE
Hoebeek
Martijn
M
Schonewille
D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002525:Cerebellar Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000502:physiology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D009538:Nicotine