Genetic mechanisms specifying cortical connectivity: let's make some projections together.
Great neuroanatomists of the twentieth century recognized that the cerebral cortex of mammals is the single most complex structure of the central nervous system both in terms of neuronal diversity and connectivity. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms specifying the afferent and efferent connectivity in the neocortex may seem like a daunting task. However, recent technical advances have greatly improved our ability to (1) profile gene expression of neuronal populations isolated based on their connectional properties, (2) manipulate gene expression in specific neuronal populations, and (3) visualize their axonal projections in vivo. These new tools are revolutionizing our ability to identify the molecular mechanisms patterning afferent and efferent cortical projections.
Polleux
Franck
F
University of North Carolina, Neuroscience Center, Deptartment of Pharmacology, 105 Mason Farm Road-CB7250, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. polleux@med.unc.edu
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*