The dentate gyrus hilus (also called CA4) is an important component in the neurobiology of Alzheimer's disease, temporal lobe epilepsy, and other neurodegenerative conditions. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
The dentate gyrus hilus (also called CA4) is a critical interface between the dentate granule cell layer and the hippocampal CA3 region. The hilus contains diverse neuron populations essential for hippocampal circuit function and memory processing.
The hilus is particularly important for:
In Alzheimer's disease, hilar neurons are vulnerable to tau pathology and contribute to memory deficits. In temporal lobe epilepsy, mossy cell degeneration leads to disinhibition and seizure propagation.
| Taxonomy | ID | Name / Label |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Brain Cell Atlas | Search | Dentate Hilus Neurons |
| Cell Ontology (CL) | Search | Check classification |
| Human Cell Atlas | Search | Check expression data |
| CellxGene Census | Search | Check cell census |
The hilus lies in the core of the dentate gyrus, between the granule cell layer and the CA3 region. Key cell types include: [1]
Mossy cells are the principal excitatory neurons of the hilus: [2]
The hilus supports pattern separation: [3]
The study of Dentate Hilus Neurons has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Buckmaster PS. Mossy cell pathology in epilepsy. (2014). 2014. ↩︎
Myers CE, et al. Pattern separation and the hilus. (2013). 2013. ↩︎
Yassa MA, et al. Pattern separation in the dentate gyrus. (2011). 2011. ↩︎