Comparative study of myelination dynamics in human and murine developing cerebella

The cerebellum is known for its role in motor learning and proprioceptive-motor processing but there is growing evidence that it also plays a crucial role in higher cognitive functions. As a result, cerebellar defects not only result in motor dysfunctions, but also in cognitive and psychiatric impairments. While the development and functions of the cerebellum have been well studied in animal models, our understanding of the human cerebellum remains limited. Moreover, despite extensive study of cerebellar neurons, the development, maturation, and functions of cerebellar glial cells remain largely unknown. In this context, myelination serves as a valuable morphological parameter for examining the development and maturation of brain circuits. Concurrently, it offers a distinct perspective into the maturation dynamics of oligodendrocytes. Therefore, taking advantage of such aspects, the current study delved into the myelination and oligodendrocyte maturation dynamics within human and murine cerebella using immunohistochemical techniques. These methods enabled the spatial and temporal characterization of myelin deposition patterns across cerebellar lobules that resulted surprisingly different among the two species, and were associated with distinct temporo-spatial dynamics of oligodendrocyte maturation. These findings offer a unique window into the development and maturation of the cerebellum and the role of oligodendrocyte cells in this process. This is particularly important, as abnormalities in the pattern of cerebellar myelination have been implicated in various developmental disorders, including autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.