Martinotti cell

Martinotti cells are small multipolar neurons with short branching dendrites. They are scattered throughout various layers of the cerebral cortex, sending their axons up to the cortical layer I where they form axonal arborization. The arbors transgress multiple columns in layer I and make contacts with the distal tuft dendrites of pyramidal cells.

Recent research suggests that Martinotti cells are associated with a cortical dampening mechanism. When the pyramidal neuron, which is the most common type of neuron in the brain, starts getting over excited, Martinotti cells start sending inhibitory signals to the surrounding neurons.

Martinotti cells were fist described in 1888 by Giovanni Martinotti, an Italian physician.

News, press releases

 * Rare cell prevents rampant brain activity - on the discovery of potential dampening influence of Martinotti cells.