Cortical Development: Neurogenesis and Neurological Disorders

by Oliva Novak

Cortical development is generally referred to as the process through which cerebral cortex is formed in mammals. The development of the cerebral cortex is crucial and necessitates complicated sequential processes which must be precisely orchestrated. The specific connectivity, identity and laminar positioning of each single cortical neuron are determined by the timing and localization of neuronal progenitor proliferation and neuronal migration. Variations in any of these organized series of events, whether caused by environmental factors or genetic mutations, leads to defined brain pathologies commonly referred as malformations of cortical development (MCDs). They are known as the major cause of intellectual disability and drug-resistant epilepsy. In these varied group of disorders, macroscopic variations in the brain structure can be identified and possibly subtend a general restructuring of neuronal circuits. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the neurogenesis and neurological disorders with respect to cortical development. Researchers and students in this field will be assisted by it.