Genetic and activity dependent-mechanisms wiring the cortex: Two sides of the same coin

Autor: N. S. De León Reyes, Lorena Bragg-Gonzalo, Marta Nieto
Přispěvatelé: European Commission, Fundación 'la Caixa', Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España)
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Digital.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
instname
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
ISSN: 1084-9521
Popis: The cerebral cortex is responsible for the higher-order functions of the brain such as planning, cognition, or social behaviour. It provides us with the capacity to interact with and transform our world. The substrates of cortical functions are complex neural circuits that arise during development from the dynamic remodelling and progressive specialization of immature undefined networks. Here, we review the genetic and activity-dependent mechanisms of cortical wiring focussing on the importance of their interaction. Cortical circuits emerge from an initial set of neuronal types that engage in sequential forms of embryonic and postnatal activity. Such activities further complement the cells’ genetic programs, increasing neuronal diversity and modifying the electrical properties while promoting selective connectivity. After a temporal window of enhanced plasticity, the main features of mature circuits are established. Failures in these processes can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders whose treatment remains elusive. However, a deeper dissection of cortical wiring will pave the way for innovative therapies.
L.B.G holds a fellowship from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 713673 and “La Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434, the fellowship code is LCF/BQ/IN17/11620044). This work was funded by grants from MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE SAF2017-83117-R, and MCIU, PCI2019-111872-2/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 (FLAG-ERA-HBP), and RED2018-102553T.
Databáze: OpenAIRE