Cellular and Molecular Differences Between Area CA1 and the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampus

Abstract

A distinct feature of the hippocampus of the brain is its unidirectional tri-synaptic pathway originating from the entorhinal cortex and projecting to the dentate gyrus (DG) then to area CA3 and subsequently, area CA1 of the Ammon's horn. Each of these areas of the hippocampus has its own cellular structure and distinctive function. The principal neurons in these areas are granule cells in the DG and pyramidal cells in the Ammon's horn's CA1 and CA3 areas with a vast network of interneurons. This review discusses the fundamental differences between the CA1 and DG areas regarding cell morphology, synaptic plasticity, signaling molecules, ability for neurogenesis, vulnerability to various insults and pathologies, and response to pharmacological agents.

Keywords: Alzheimer’ disease; Calbindin; Chronic stress; Functional plasticity; Granule cell; Hypothyroidism; Ischemia; OZR; Obesity; Pyramidal cell; Signaling molecules; Structural plasticity.