Bernd Fritzsch, PhD, University of Iowa, Dept of Biology & Dept of Otolaryngology

The cerebellum is a continuation of the hindbrain alar plate which in turn is unique in receiving all placodal derived neuronal input (inner ear, lateral line, electroreception, taste). The inner ear and the lateral line afferents are the only primary afferents of any sense with a direct input into the cerebellum, the vestibulo-cerebellum. The background of inner ear projection into the cerebellum will be briefly reviewed. The body of the presentation will focus on four aspects of cerebellar development: 

          1) What is the molecular basis of alar plate and cerebellar development.

          2) The role of Lmx1a/b in the formation of alar plate, cerebellum and ear.

          3) Navigational cues for inner ear afferents to reach the various nuclei of the alar plate and the vestibule-cerebellum.

          4) Polarized input into the cerebellum and its output to vestibular nuclei.