title: Inputs from the thalamocortical system on axon pathfinding mechanisms.
abstract: Our understanding of axon pathfinding mechanisms has dramatically advanced thanks to the identification of guidance cues and receptors, and has been forged by the study of a limited number of model systems. Thalamocortical axons, which are essential for sensory processing and neocortical functioning, convey sensory information to the neocortex through a tightly controlled topographical interconnectivity between distinct thalamic neurons and cortical areas. Recent studies on this projection have provided mechanistic insights onto integrated processes controlling brain wiring: axons/guidepost cells interactions, building of reciprocal connections and the combinatorial activity of guidance cues. This review provides a selective overview of these novel features and stresses the interest of thalamocortical axons as an emerging model for studying axonal guidance and plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Ecole Normale Supérieure, Institut de Biologie de l'ENS (IBENS), Paris F-75005 France; Inserm, U1024, Paris F-75005, France; CNRS, UMR 8197, Paris F-75005, France. Electronic address: garel@biologie.ens.fr.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garel
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernandez-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), San Joan d'Alacant 03550, Spain. Electronic address: g.lbendito@umh.es.
authors.forename: Guillermina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: López-Bendito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*