dentate granule neuron

Function

• granule cells of the dentate gyrus the principle neurons of the granule cell layer, a layer with a prominant dendritic arborization (molecular layer)
• the hilus of the dentate gyrus contains neuroblasts that form granule cells from birth into old age.
• newly formed granule cells accumulate under the older granule cells gradually increasing the thickness of the granule layer throughout life

* The human dentate gyrus contains about 9 x 10E6 granule cells.

Afferents

• entorhinal cortex (perforant pathway)

Efferents

• cornu ammonis CA3 pyramidal cells (mossy fiber pathway)
• cells of the of the dentate gyrus do not project outside of the hippocampal formation

Comparative biology

• dentate granule cells of the rat have apical dendrites only
• many dentate granule cells in humans & monkeys also have basal dendrites

More general terms

• granule cell

Additional terms

• dentate gyrus