Model of the early development of thalamo-cortical connections and area patterning via signaling molecules.
The mammalian cortex is divided into architectonic and functionally distinct areas. There is growing experimental evidence that their emergence and development is controlled by both epigenetic and genetic factors. The latter were recently implicated as dominating the early cortical area specification. In this paper, we present a theoretical model that explicitly considers the genetic factors and that is able to explain several sets of experiments on cortical area regulation involving transcription factors Emx2 and Pax6, and fibroblast growth factor FGF8. The model consists of the dynamics of thalamo-cortical connections modulated by signaling molecules that are regulated genetically, and by axonal competition for neocortical space. The model can make predictions and provides a basic mathematical framework for the early development of the thalamo-cortical connections and area patterning that can be further refined as more experimental facts become known.
Sloan-Swartz Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, Division of Biology 216-76, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. jkarb@cns.caltech.edu
Jan
J
Karbowski
G B
GB
Ermentrout
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D005136:Eye Proteins; D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins
D005136:Eye Proteins; D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins; C496456:FGF8 protein, human; C000605730:PAX6 protein, human