When nurture refines nature: pathogenic properties of neurons which fail to reach their targets
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1
Parc scientifique de Luminy, France
Construction of cortical functional units depends on an exquisitely precise migration of neurons to their assigned target and the formation of synapses with a cell assembly of programmed neurons. Together, these neurons generate coherent patterns that are instrumental in the engraming of these connections and their adequate operation. We have recently described a series of developmental sequences at both the neuronal and networks levels that appear to have been conserved throughout evolution. These include a higher intracellular concentration of chloride in neurons leading to excitatory actions of GABA until delivery when the maternal hormone oxytocine both triggers delivery and an abrupt shift of chloride and the actions of GABA. The expression of intrinsic voltage-gated coherent pattern around delivery, these constitute the first coherent pattern of developing networks and is followed by synapse driven Giant Depolarising Potentials (GDPs) that are the first synaptic driven pattern of the developing brain. GDPs then disappear and are replaced by the plethora of behaviorally relevant oscillations that are needed for the integrative operation of brain networks. We shall illustrate the consequences of preventing some neurons from reaching their targets by in utero transfections of SRNAi double cortin - a human mutation leading to the formation of a double cortex. In humans, it is estimated that over half intractable seizures are due to the formation of heterotopias composed of neuronal masses that fail to migrate to their targets.
Conference:
10th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience, Bodrum, Türkiye, 1 Sep - 5 Sep, 2008.
Presentation Type:
Oral Presentation
Topic:
Symposium 5: Plasticity of a life time
Citation:
Ben-Ari
Y
(2008). When nurture refines nature: pathogenic properties of neurons which fail to reach their targets.
Conference Abstract:
10th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience.
doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.09.2009.01.029
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Received:
27 Nov 2008;
Published Online:
27 Nov 2008.
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Correspondence:
Y. Ben-Ari, Parc scientifique de Luminy, 13331 Marseille, France, ben-ari@neurochlore.fr