Bringing Chandelier Cells Out of the Shadows: Exploring the Development of a Unique Neuron Type in the Brain

Chandelier cells (ChCs) represent a unique GABAergic interneuron in the cortex, yet our knowledge of this sparsely populated cell type has remained equally sparse for many years. New tools, however, have brought ChCs out of the shadows, shedding light on their development and function in the rodent brain and, gradually, gaining insights into their properties in primates. This review will focus on the developmental mechanisms that define ChCs as a unique cell type and, where possible, draw parallels to studies in primates, particularly to work in human tissue. What emerges is a picture of a highly plastic neuron with a unique developmental trajectory that appears to be genetically and functionally conserved in the primate brain.