Development and developmental disorders of the human cerebellum

The human cerebellum develops over a long time, extending from the early embryonic period until the first postnatal years. This protracted development makes the cerebellum vulnerable to a broad spectrum of developmental disorders. The development of the cerebellum occurs in four basic steps: 1) char...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neurology 2003-09, Vol.250 (9), p.1025-1036
Main Authors: TEN DONKELAAR, H. J, LAMMENS, M, WESSELING, P, THIJSSEN, H. O. M, RENIER, W. O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cell growth
Cerebellar Diseases - genetics
Cerebellar Diseases - pathology
Cerebellum - abnormalities
Cerebellum - growth & development
Cerebellum - pathology
Humans
Magnetic resonance imaging
Malformations of the nervous system
Medical sciences
Morphogenesis
Neurology
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The human cerebellum develops over a long time, extending from the early embryonic period until the first postnatal years. This protracted development makes the cerebellum vulnerable to a broad spectrum of developmental disorders. The development of the cerebellum occurs in four basic steps: 1) characterization of the cerebellar territory at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary; 2) formation of two compartments for cell proliferation: first, the Purkinje cells and the deep cerebellar nuclei arise from the ventricular zone of the metencephalic alar plate; second, granule cell precursors are formed from a second compartment of proliferation, i. e. the upper rhombic lip; 3) inward migration of the granule cells: granule precursor cells form the external granular layer, from which (and continuing into the first postnatal year), granule cells migrate inwards to their definite position in the internal granular layer, and 4) formation of cerebellar circuitry and further differentiation. The precerebellar nuclei, i. e. the pontine nuclei and the inferior olive, arise from the lower rhombic lip. Developmental disorders of the cerebellum are often accompanied by malformations of the precerebellar nuclei. In this review the development of the cerebellum and some of its more frequent developmental disorders, such as the Dandy-Walker and related midline malformations, and the pontocerebellar hypoplasias, are discussed.
ISSN:0340-5354
1432-1459
DOI:10.1007/s00415-003-0199-9