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Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors
Published on: December 3, 2017
The origin and specification of cortical interneurons
Carl P Wonders1, Stewart A Anderson
1Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York 10021, USA.
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|August 3, 2006
Summary
Cortical interneurons, vital for brain function, exhibit diverse subtypes. Recent research is uncovering the genetic basis for their development and the origins of these distinct neuronal groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- GABA-containing interneurons are essential for cerebral cortex development and function.
- Interneurons display significant diversity in morphology, physiology, and neurochemistry, contrasting with conserved cortical projection neurons.
- The late and context-dependent maturation of interneuron features complicates understanding their transcriptional control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the origins and specification of distinct cortical interneuron subgroups.
- To discuss the challenges in understanding the transcriptional control of cortical interneuron development due to their diversity and maturation processes.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and data.
- Analysis of transcriptional regulation in neuronal development.
Main Results:
- Emerging data are beginning to elucidate the origins of diverse cortical interneuron subtypes.
- Understanding the transcriptional control of interneuron specification is becoming clearer.
Conclusions:
- The diversity of cortical interneurons presents challenges but is yielding to new insights into their developmental origins.
- Further research into transcriptional control will illuminate the complex development of these crucial neuronal populations.
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