Editing Pyramidal cell (section)

== Function ==

===Corticospinal tract===

Pyramidal neurons are the primary neural cell type in the [[corticospinal tract]]. Normal motor control depends on the development of connections between the axons in the corticospinal tract and the spinal cord. Pyramidal cell axons follow cues such as growth factors to make specific connections. With proper connections, pyramidal cells take part in the circuitry responsible for vision guided motor function.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Salimi I, Friel KM, Martin JH | title = Pyramidal tract stimulation restores normal corticospinal tract connections and visuomotor skill after early postnatal motor cortex activity blockade | journal = The Journal of Neuroscience | volume = 28 | issue = 29 | pages = 7426–7434 | date = July 2008 | pmid = 18632946 | pmc = 2567132 | doi = 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1078-08.2008 }}</ref>

===Cognition===

Pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex are implicated in cognitive ability. In mammals, the complexity of pyramidal cells increases from [[Posterior (anatomy)|posterior]] to [[anterior]] brain regions. The degree of complexity of pyramidal neurons is likely linked to the cognitive capabilities of different anthropoid species. Pyramidal cells within the prefrontal cortex appear to be responsible for processing input from the primary auditory cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, and primary visual cortex, all of which process sensory modalities.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Baker A, Kalmbach B, Morishima M, Kim J, Juavinett A, Li N, Dembrow N | title = Specialized Subpopulations of Deep-Layer Pyramidal Neurons in the Neocortex: Bridging Cellular Properties to Functional Consequences | journal = The Journal of Neuroscience | volume = 38 | issue = 24 | pages = 5441–5455 | date = June 2018 | pmid = 29798890 | doi = 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0150-18.2018 | pmc = 6001033 }}</ref> These cells might also play a critical role in complex object recognition within the visual processing areas of the cortex.<ref name = "Elston" /> Relative to other species, the larger cell size and complexity of pyramidal neurons, along with certain patterns of cellular organization and function, correlates with the evolution of human cognition. <ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Galakhova AA, Hunt S, Wilbers R, Heyer DB, de Kock CP, Mansvelder HD, Goriounova NA | title = Evolution of cortical neurons supporting human cognition | language = English | journal = Trends in Cognitive Sciences | volume = 26 | issue = 11 | pages = 909–922 | date = November 2022 | pmid = 36117080 | pmc = 9561064 | doi = 10.1016/j.tics.2022.08.012 }}</ref>

=== Memory and learning ===
The hippocampus's pyramidal cells are essential for certain types of memory and learning. They form synapses that aid in the integration of synaptic voltages throughout their complex dendritic trees through interactions with [[Mossy fiber (hippocampus)|mossy fibers]] from [[Granule cell|granule cells]]. Since it affects the postsynaptic voltages produced by mossy fiber activation, the placement of [[thorny excrescence]]s on basal and apical dendrites is important for memory formation. By enabling dynamic control of the sensitivity of CA3 pyramidal cells, this clustering of mossy fiber synapses on pyramidal cells may facilitate the initiation of somatic spikes.

The interactions between pyramidal cells and an estimated 41 mossy fiber boutons, each originating from a unique granule cell, highlight the role of these boutons in information processing and synaptic connectivity, which are essential for memory and learning. Fundamentally, mossy fiber input is received by pyramidal cells in the hippocampus which integrate synaptic voltages within their dendritic architecture. The location of prickly protrusions and the clustering of synapses influence sensitivity and contribute to the processing of information pertaining to memory and learning.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gonzales |first1=R. B. |last2=DeLeon Galvan |first2=C. J. |last3=Rangel |first3=Y. M. |last4=Claiborne |first4=B. J. |date=2001-02-12 |title=Distribution of thorny excrescences on CA3 pyramidal neurons in the rat hippocampus |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11169473/ |journal=The Journal of Comparative Neurology |volume=430 |issue=3 |pages=357–368 |doi=10.1002/1096-9861(20010212)430:3<357::aid-cne1036>3.0.co;2-k |issn=0021-9967 |pmid=11169473}}</ref>