Homepage

Record

RefNoEC/1992/43
LevelItem
TitleIto, Masao: certificate of election to the Royal Society
Date1991
DescriptionCertificate of Candidate for Election to Foreign Membership. Citation typed
CitationIto transformed our understanding of the cerebellar functions by two fundamental discoveries that are uniquely his.
1.The sole output from the cerebellar cortex is via Purkyne cells and he showed that these cells inhibit the cerebellar nuclear cells, which are the sole output cells from the cerebellum to the rest of the brain, This finding provides an extraordinary exception to the otherwise standard design of the brain, namely, that all outputs from brain regions are excitatory.
2.He followed this up by his discovery that conjunction of the two excitatory inputs to cerebellar Purkyne cells, by climbing fibres and by parallel fibres causes a unique long-term depression (LTD) of the parallel fibre synapses. Evidence suggested that LTD is basically due to desensitisation of glutamate receptors on Purkyne cells. Recently further analysis of the molecular mechanisms of the desensitisation revealed an underlying chain of reactions involving metabotropic glutamate receptors, calcium ions, nitric oxide, cGMP and protein kinase G, eventually leading to a long-lasting desensitisation of ionotropic quisqualate-specific subtype of glutamate receptors. This is the basis of cerebellar learning.
Ito made a third important advance by establishing the control system model of the cerebellum that is based on the flocculus control of the vestibulo-ocular reflexes. Furthermore he showed that the control system would explain cerebellar function in the control of all movements of body and limbs so that they can become perfected by means of its error correcting system.
Ito has contributed greatly to neuroscience in Japan, and has been a leader in establishing and developing new projects for Japanese science, that collectively are known as the Frontier Research Program, of which he is Team Leader.
Ito is dedicated to International Cooperation in the Brain Sciences, in the International Brain Research Organization IBRO, President, 1980-1986. In the International Union of Physiological Sciences - IUPS_ he has been a Council member (1982 - present) and vice-president (1986-present). In the International Council of Scientific Unions -ICSU- he is a Council Board Member, 1986 to present.
Awards: 1986 - Imperial Prize of Japan Academy; 1986 - Academy Prize Japan; 1989 Member of Japan Academy. 1990 - Foreign Member of Royal Swedish Academy of Science
AccessStatusClosed
Add to My Items
    Photographs of British algae: cyanotype impressions

    Photographs of British algae: cyanotype impressions

    Useful Links

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    Early Letters
    Early Letters
    Campi Phlegraei
    Campi Phlegraei
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance
    Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance
    Photographs of British algae: cyanotype impressions
    Photographs of British algae: cyanotype impressions
    Browse Collections

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView