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Review

Translating cerebellar Purkinje neuron physiology to progress in dominantly inherited ataxia

    Ravi Chopra

    Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Alfred A Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 4009, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA

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    &
    Vikram G Shakkottai

    * Author for correspondence

    Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Alfred A Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, Room 4009, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA.

    Search for more papers by this author

    Email the corresponding author at vikramsh@med.umich.edu

    Published Online:3 Mar 2014https://doi.org/10.2217/fnl.14.6

    Abstract

    ABSTRACT: The cerebellum is an important structure for accurate control and timing of movement, and Purkinje neurons in the cerebellar cortex are key players in cerebellar motor control. Cerebellar dysfunction can result in ataxia, a disorder characterized by postural instability, gait disturbances and motor incoordination. Cerebellar ataxia is a symptom of a number of conditions, and the emerging evidence that Purkinje neuron dysfunction, in particular, abnormal Purkinje neuron repetitive firing, is a major driver of motor dysfunction in a subset of dominantly inherited ataxias is dicussed. Abnormalities in Purkinje neuron excitability that are observed in mouse models of each of these disorders, and where appropriate describe studies linking particular ion channels to aberrant excitability are also discussed. Common mechanisms of dysfunction and speculate about potential therapeutic targets, suggesting that Purkinje neuron firing abnormalities are a novel target for improving motor dysfunction in patients with some forms of dominantly inherited ataxia are proposed.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest •• of considerable interest

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