Neuropeptides in the cerebellum

Abstract

To truly understand cerebellar function, it is essential to address the effect of the numerous peptides present within cerebellar circuits and the role they play in modulating neuronal activity in the cerebellum. To date, at least 22 neuropeptides have been identifi ed in the cerebellum. However, relatively little is conclusively known about the modulatory role of the vast majority of these peptides. The potential role of three peptides is reviewed. Future research should focus on defi ning transduction pathways activated following binding of these peptides to their G-protein-coupled receptors, defi ning the function of peptides produced by cerebellar neurons such as Purkinje cells or Golgi cells, and describing how neuropeptides modulate cerebellar nuclear neurons, which represent the output of the cerebellum.