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Development, evolution and pathology of neocortical subplate neurons
Anna Hoerder-Suabedissen1, Zoltán Molnár1
1Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Le Gros Clark Building, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK.
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|February 21, 2015
Summary
Subplate neurons, crucial for brain development, guide sensory axon growth. New research reveals their extracortical origins and integration into neural circuits, highlighting their role in brain wiring.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Subplate neurons are critical for establishing correct cortical circuitry.
- They are among the earliest neurons formed in the cerebral cortex.
- Their location at the white-grey matter junction is vital for thalamocortical axon guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel aspects of subplate neuron development and function.
- To investigate the origins and integration of subplate cells.
- To understand the role of subplate neurons in sensory activity-dependent circuit formation.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptomic analyses to identify and target subpopulation.
- Utilizing mouse lines with reporter genes to trace cell origins.
- Investigating subplate cell integration influenced by sensory input.
Main Results:
- Discovery of extracortical subplate neurogenesis.
- Demonstration of subplate cell integration into cortical and extracortical circuits.
- Evidence for subplate involvement in neurosecretion and extracellular matrix modification.
Conclusions:
- Subplate neurons originate from novel extracortical sources.
- Sensory activity influences subplate cell integration into neural networks.
- Subplate neurons actively modulate their environment and contribute to circuit refinement.
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