Formation of GABAergic synapses in the cerebellum.

In the adult central nervous system (CNS), gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is a predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter, and is involved in the expression of various higher brain functions. In the cerebellum, formation of GABAergic synapses is crucial for cerebellar functions. However, it is not fully understood how GABAergic synapses and networks are formed. We are morphologically investigating the developmental changes in GABAergic signaling and the mechanisms underlying the assembly of GABAergic synapses using the cerebellum, which provides an ideal system for the investigation of brain development. The anatomy and development of GABAergic synapses and networks in the cerebellar cortex are reviewed, the key factors for the formation of GABAergic synapses are addressed, and the mechanisms underlying the formation of cerebellar GABAergic networks are discussed.