Dendritic calcium signaling in cerebellar Purkinje cell.

Abstract: The Purkinje cells in the cerebellum are unique neurons that generate local and global Ca signals in response to two types of excitatory inputs, parallel fiber and climbing fiber, respectively. The spatiotemporal distribution and interaction of these synaptic inputs produce complex patterns of Ca dynamics in the Purkinje cell dendrites. The Ca signals originate from Ca influx through voltage-gated Ca channels and Ca release from intracellular stores that are mediated by the metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling pathway. These Ca signals are essential for the induction of various forms of synaptic plasticity and for controlling the input–output relationship of Purkinje cells. In this article we review Ca signaling in Purkinje cell dendrites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]