Abstract
The cerebral cortex has a central role in cognitive and emotional processing. As such, understanding the mechanisms that govern its development and function will be central to understanding the bases of severe neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly those that first appear in childhood. In this review, I highlight recent progress in elucidating genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms that control cortical development. I discuss basic aspects of cortical developmental anatomy, and mechanisms that regulate cortical size and area formation, with an emphasis on the roles of fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling and specific transcription factors. I then examine how specific types of cortical excitatory projection neurons are generated, and how their axons grow along stereotyped pathways to their targets. Next, I address how cortical inhibitory (GABAergic) neurons are generated, and point out the role of these cells in controlling cortical plasticity and critical periods. The paper concludes with an examination of four possible developmental mechanisms that could contribute to some forms of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism.
© 2010 The Author. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. © 2010 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Affective Symptoms / genetics
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Affective Symptoms / pathology
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Affective Symptoms / physiopathology*
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Animals
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Autistic Disorder / genetics
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Autistic Disorder / pathology
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Autistic Disorder / physiopathology*
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Axons / pathology
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Axons / physiology
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Body Patterning / genetics
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Body Patterning / physiology
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Brain Mapping
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Cerebral Cortex / pathology
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Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology*
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Child
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Cognition Disorders / genetics
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Cognition Disorders / pathology
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Cognition Disorders / physiopathology*
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Female
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Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Humans
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Infant, Newborn
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Malformations of Cortical Development, Group II / genetics
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Malformations of Cortical Development, Group II / pathology
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Malformations of Cortical Development, Group II / physiopathology
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Mice
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Nerve Net / pathology
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Nerve Net / physiopathology
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Neural Inhibition / genetics
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Neural Inhibition / physiology
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Neuronal Plasticity / genetics
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Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
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Neurons / pathology
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Neurons / physiology
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Pregnancy
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Signal Transduction / genetics
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / physiology
Substances
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Distal-less homeobox proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Transcription Factors
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gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
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Fibroblast Growth Factors