title: Generating neuronal diversity in the mammalian cerebral cortex.
abstract: The neocortex is the part of the brain responsible for execution of higher-order brain functions, including cognition, sensory perception, and sophisticated motor control. During evolution, the neocortex has developed an unparalleled neuronal diversity, which still remains partly unclassified and unmapped at the functional level. Here, we broadly review the structural blueprint of the neocortex and discuss the current classification of its neuronal diversity. We then cover the principles and mechanisms that build neuronal diversity during cortical development and consider the impact of neuronal class-specific identity in shaping cortical connectivity and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138; email: paola_arlotta@harvard.edu , simona_lodato@harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lodato
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138; email: paola_arlotta@harvard.edu , simona_lodato@harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arlotta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D019579:Neocortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: cortical networks; identity; interneurons; myelination profile; neocortex; projection neurons