Sternheimer cells

Sternheimer cells, also known as Sternheimer-Malbin cells, are a type of neuron that is found in the hippocampus of the brain. They were discovered by the German neurologist and psychiatrist Ralf Sternheimer and his colleague, the German neuroanatomist Friedrich Malbina in 1893.

Sternheimer cells have an unusual shape that resembles an onion. They are located in the granule cell layer of the dentate nucleus of the hippocampus. Each cell has many short projections called dendrites, which serve to receive information from other neurons. However, unlike other neurons, Sternheimer cells do not have axons that transmit information to other neurons. Instead, they connect to other neurons through their dendrites.

Sternheimer cells play an important role in the formation of memory and spatial orientation. Research shows that in people with memory-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, the number of Sternheimer cells may be reduced. In addition, animal studies suggest that Sternheimer cell activity may be increased during tasks involving memory and spatial orientation.

Thus, although Sternheimer cells are a relatively little-studied type of neuron, they play an important role in hippocampal function and memory processes. A greater understanding of their functions may help in the development of new drugs to treat diseases associated with memory impairment.