Cerebellar granule cells are often used as a model system for the study of neuronal development, function and pathology, including the analysis of activity-dependent survival/apoptosis of neurons and the mechanisms of neuroprotection. Cerebellar granule cells are generated postnatally and constitute the largest homogeneous neuronal population of the mammalian brain. In addition, cerebellar granule cells cultured in vitro develop characteristics of mature cerebellar granule cells seen in vivo, such as an extensive neuritic network, expression of excitatory amino acid receptors and production and release of -l glutamate. Taken together, these features make cerebellar granule cells a unique model system that has been extensively characterised and used for in vitro studies.
