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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Analyzing Dendritic Morphology in Columns and Layers
Published on: March 23, 2017
Wiring dendrites in layers and columns
Jiangnan Luo1, Philip G McQueen2, Bo Shi1,3
1a Section on Neuronal Connectivity, Cell Biology and Neurobiology Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , Bethesda , MD , USA ;
Abstract:
The most striking structure in the nervous system is the complex yet stereotyped morphology of the neuronal dendritic tree. Dendritic morphologies and the connections they make govern information flow and integration in the brain. The fundamental mechanisms that regulate dendritic outgrowth and branching are subjects of extensive study. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the molecular and cellular mechanisms for routing dendrites in layers and columns, prevalent organizational structures in the brain. We highlight how dendritic patterning influences the formation of synaptic circuits.
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