Lugaro cell

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Lugaro cells are a type of neuron found in the cerebellum, a region of the brain involved in motor control and coordination. Named after the Italian neurologist Ernesto Lugaro, these cells are characterized by their elongated shape and their location in the granular layer of the cerebellum.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Lugaro cells are situated in the granular layer of the cerebellum, lying parallel to the Purkinje cells. They are characterized by their elongated soma, which can extend up to 100 micrometers in length. The cells possess a single axon and several dendrites, which extend into the molecular layer of the cerebellum.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of Lugaro cells is to modulate the activity of Golgi cells, another type of neuron found in the cerebellum. They achieve this through the release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. This modulation plays a crucial role in the fine-tuning of motor control and coordination.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Abnormalities in Lugaro cells have been implicated in several neurological disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, and spinocerebellar ataxia. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of these cells in disease pathogenesis.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]



Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD