Expression of substance P in dentate nucleus of human cerebellum

The expression of substance P (SP) was examined in dentate nucleus (DN) of human cerebellum. A spatial and temporal sequence was observed in the innervation of the DN. SP appeared at 9-10 weeks and was dense in the dorsomedial region of DN. The SP immunoreactivity continued to increase until 19-21 weeks and showed a decline in the dorsomedial region by 24 weeks. By now, however, the ventrolateral region had a denser innervation. There is thus seemingly a relation between SP innervation and gyri formation in DN. SP-positive fibers were also localized in the neuroepithelium of the IV ventricle at all the ages studied. SP-positive fibers, however, reached the cerebellar cortex only by 24 weeks.