The cerebellum is essential for motor coordination and learning, and it is also implicated in contributing to cognitive function and social learning. Alterations in specific aspects of these functions are associated with various debilitating developmental diseases including ataxia and autism spectrum disorder in humans. The cerebellar circuitry is comprised of limited number of inhibitory and excitatory neurons that are integrated in the corticonuclear network, with Purkinje neurons (PN) being the sole output neurons. Precise assembly of this circuitry which governs cerebellar function is likely dependent on the balanced production of inhibitory and excitatory neurons from their precursors, yet these processes remain poorly understood. we have previously shown that the PN is a central regulator of late-born neural precursors in the postnatal cerebellum, coupling the generation of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons. PN accomplish these crucial tasks through disseminating Sonic hedgehog (Shh) to functionally and spatially distinct neurogenic niches, namely external granule layer and prospective white matter (PWM). Although Shh can travel far from its site of synthesis, the mechanisms remain unknown. The PWM consists of a heterogeneous population of precursors and the function of Shh signaling specifically in inhibitory neuronal precursors needs to be determined. Moreover, Shh-derived from PN also signal to neighboring Bergmann glia (BG), and how such regulation is integrated with the generation of excitatory neurons is also unknown. The goal of this proposal is to fill these critical gaps using a combination of multidisciplinary approaches.

Public Health Relevance

The cerebellum is essential for motor coordination and learning. Disorders of cerebellar development are associated with neurological diseases such as ataxia, autism, schizophrenia and medulloblastoma. Therefore, elucidating the mechanism that regulates the generation and diversification of different kinds of neurons during cerebellar development will provide the foundation for understanding and eventual treatment of these diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS097898-03
Application #
9481691
Study Section
Neurogenesis and Cell Fate Study Section (NCF)
Program Officer
Riddle, Robert D
Project Start
2016-07-01
Project End
2020-04-30
Budget Start
2018-05-01
Budget End
2019-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
965717143
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37240
Cheng, Frances Y; Fleming, Jonathan T; Chiang, Chin (2018) Bergmann glial Sonic hedgehog signaling activity is required for proper cerebellar cortical expansion and architecture. Dev Biol 440:152-166
Ryan, Kaitlyn E; Kim, Patrick S; Fleming, Jonathan T et al. (2017) Lkb1 regulates granule cell migration and cortical folding of the cerebellar cortex. Dev Biol 432:165-177