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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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Neonatal Pial Surface Electroporation
Published on: May 7, 2014
Properties of persistent postnatal cortical subplate neurons
Juan Torres-Reveron1, Michael J Friedlander
1Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.
Summary
Postnatal subplate (SP) and white matter (WM) neurons in the visual cortex are functional and electrogenic. These surviving cells are integrated into the postnatal visual cortical circuit, despite a decrease in their density during early development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Visual Cortex Research
Background:
- Subplate (SP) neurons are crucial for thalamocortical innervation and visual cortex development.
- Embryonic SP neuron functions are known, but roles of surviving white matter (WM) and postnatal SP cells remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the functional roles of surviving WM and postnatal SP cells in the rat visual cortex.
- Characterize their dendritic morphology, neurotransmitter phenotype, electrophysiological properties, and synaptic inputs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized anatomical, immunohistochemical, and electrophysiological techniques.
- Examined surviving SP and WM cells in the rat visual cortex during the first month of life.
Main Results:
- SP and WM cell density decreases postnatally, but surviving cells exhibit neuronal markers and extensive dendritic arborizations.
- Both cell types generate action potentials and receive AMPA/kainate, NMDA, and GABAergic inputs.
- SP cells show greater action potential broadening than WM neurons, and synaptic inputs exhibit plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Surviving SP and WM cells are functional, electrogenic neurons.
- These cells are integrated into the postnatal visual cortical circuit, suggesting continued roles after embryonic development.
