Development of the Cerebellar System: In Relation to Its Evolution, Structure, and Functions

The cerebellum plays a vital role in the control of posture, locomotion, eye movement, and a variety of motor functions. Currently, many scientists are involved in trying to unravel the molecular biology, physiology, and genetics of cerebellar development. This book provides an outstanding explanation of what happens during normal cerebellar development and following experimental interference with the normal course of development. Altman and Bayer, two of the world's leading authorities on developmental neurobiology, have studied cerebellar development using light microscopic, electron microscopic, and autoradiographic techniques. Here they share their findings with you. Their latest discoveries are presented, along with the wealth of data discovered by others. The result is an excellent new reference offering a novel interpretation of how the cerebellum develops as well as a model for studying the development of other brain systems.

Table of Contents:
Evolution and Organization of the Cerebellar System Comparative Anatomy of the Cerebellum: An Evolutionary Perspective Basic Cellular Organization and Circuitry of the Cerebellar Cortex Lobular Distribution of Precerebellar Mossy Fibers in the Cerebellar Cortex Translobular Distribution of Olivary Climbing Fibers and the Translobular Compartments of the Cerebellar Cortex Afferent and Efferent Connection of the Cerebellar Deep Nuclei The First Stage of Cerebellar Development: Formation of the Cerebellar Primordium and the Production of Deep Neurons and Purkinje Cells An Overview of Early Cerebellar Development: An Introductory Examination of Histological Sections in Normal Rat Embryos Birthdates of the Prenatally Generated Neurons of the Cerebellar System: A Quantitative Analysis with Thymidine Autoradiography Delineation of the Cerebellar Primordium and an Interpretation of the First Stage of Cerebellar Development Transformation of the Paired Cerebellar Primordia into the Unified Primitive Cerebellum The Second Stage of Cerebellar Development: Formation of the Deep Nuclei and of the Primitive Cerebellar Cortex The Arrival of Extrinsic Afferents and the Descent of Deep Neurons The Ascent and Settling of Purkinje Cells in Relation to their Time and Site of Origin The Role of Purkinje Cell Clusters and White Matter Partitioning in the Early Fissurization and Lobulation of the Cerebellar Cortex The Site of Origin, Mode of Dispersal, and Regional Proliferation of Cerebellar Glial Cells Development of the Precerebellar System Development of the Lower Precerebellar System: The Inferior Olive and the Lateral Reticular and External Cuneate Nuclei Development of the Upper Precerebellar System: The Pontine Gray Nucleus The Third Stage of Cerebellar Development: Maturation of the Cerebellar Cortex An Overview of the Postnatal Development of the Rat Cerebellum The Generation, Movements, and Settling of Cerebellar Granule Cells and the Formation of Parallel Fibers The Generation and Differentiation of Basket Cells and Stellate Cells Postnatal Development of Purkinje Cells Early Synaptogenesis and the Development of Parallel Fiber Synapses with Purkinje Cells Development of Climbing Fiber, Basket Cell, Stellate Cell, and Purkinje Axon Collateral Synapses Synaptic Maturation of Granule Cells, Golgi Cells, and Intermediate Neurons Neuroglial Proliferation and Maturation with Special Reference to the Bergmann Glia and Their Radial Fibers Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Developing Cerebellum and of the Fissurization and Foliation of the Cerebellar Cortex Mechanisms of Cerebellar Development: An Experimental Approach Cellular Dissection of the Developing Cerebellar Cortex with Different X-Irradiation Schedules Prolonged X-Irradiation Starting at Birth: Morphogenesis and Synaptogenesis of the Amicroneuronal Cerebellar Cortex Prolonged X-Irradiation Starting at P4: Morphogenesis and Synaptogenesis of the Oligomicroneuronal Cerebellar Cortex Prolonged X-Irradiation Starting at P8 or P12: The Morphogenetic and Synaptogenetic Role of Basket, Stellate, and Granule Cells Short-Term X-Irradiation at Different Ages: The Morphogenetic, Neurogenetic, and Synaptogenetic Effects of Varying the Time of Recovery of the External Germinal Layer Effects of the Interrupted Production of Microneurons on Mossy Fiber Growth and Granule Cell Migration Summary: Mechanisms Involved in the Establishment of the Fine Circuitry of the Cerebellar Cortex