Bergmann Glial AMPA Receptors Are Required for Fine Motor Coordination

TLDR

The role of glial cells and their interaction with neurons in normal behavior is unclear. Saab et al. studied a special type of cerebellar glial cell to address this question. Conditional mutant mice were generated in which the two glutamate receptor subunits normally present in Bergmann glial cells were efficiently ablated in a temporally controlled manner.

Abstract

Crucial Cerebellar Glial Cells The role of glial cells and their interaction with neurons in normal behavior is unclear. To address this question, Saab et al. (p. 749 , published online 5 July) studied a special type of glial cell in the cerebellum. Conditional mutant mice were produced in which the two glutamate receptor subunits normally present in Bergmann glial cells were efficiently ablated in a temporally controlled manner. Glutamate signaling of the glial cells contributed to the structural and functional integrity of the cerebellar network. Bergmann glial cells also played a role in the “fine-tuning” of neuronal processing, which is crucial for the fast and precise control of complex motor behavior.