Synaptic mechanisms of the cerebellar cortical network.

The cerebellar cortex forms a defined array of relatively simple neural networks. Considerable progress has been made towards understanding the synaptic mechanisms of these networks. It has been revealed that inhibitory GABA receptors and distinct types of glutamate receptor cooperatively and differentially regulate and integrate glutamate-mediated transmission within cerebellar cortical circuits. In addition, molecular assembly of receptor-interacting scaffolding proteins and signaling molecules is dynamically controlled and underlies the functional synaptic organization of cerebellar cortical circuits. This article discusses some of the recent progress in this area, focusing on newly explored aspects of the synaptic mechanisms of glutamate-mediated transmission in the cerebellar cortical network.