The neocortex is divided into multiple areas with specific architecture, molecular identity and pattern of connectivity the dorsal thalamus. Gradients transcription factor expression in cortical primordium regulate regionalization potentially patterning thalamic projections. We show that reduction Fgf8 levels hypomorphic mouse mutants shifts early gradients gene rostrally, thereby modifying rostral progenitors. This shift correlates a size molecularly defined neocortical domain corresponding...

The functional organization of area 3a, a cortical field proposed to be involved in somato–motor–vestibular integration, has never been described for any primate. In the present investigation, topographic and connections 3a were examined marmosets using electrophysiological recording anatomical tracing techniques. Multi-unit neuronal activity was recorded at number closely spaced sites; receptive fields (RFs) neurons determined, optimal stimulus identified. all cases, responded stimulation...

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD, represent a range of adverse developmental conditions caused by prenatal ethanol exposure (PrEE) from maternal consumption alcohol. PrEE induces neurobiological damage in the developing brain leading to cognitive-perceptual and behavioral deficits offspring. Alcohol-mediated alterations epigenetic function may underlie PrEE-related dysfunction, with these changes potentially carried across generations unexposed To determine transgenerational impact...

Abstract The detailed organization of somatosensory area 3a was examined in macaque monkeys using multiunit electrophysiological recording techniques. By examining topographic relationships, changes receptive field size, and the type stimulus that neurons responded to, functional boundaries were determined related to architectonic boundaries. One striking observation location varied with respect central sulcus. In one‐half cases on rostral bank fundus sulcus other half it caudal terms...

In utero ethanol exposure from a mother's consumption of alcoholic beverages impacts brain and cognitive development, creating range deficits in the child (Levitt, 1998; Lebel et al., 2012). Children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are often born facial dysmorphology may exhibit cognitive, behavioral, motor ethanol-related neurobiological damage early development. Prenatal (PrEE) is number one cause preventable mental intellectual dysfunction globally, therefore...

Background In utero alcohol, or ethanol (EtOH), exposure produces developmental abnormalities in the brain of fetus, which can result lifelong behavioral abnormalities. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders ( FASD ) is a term used to describe range adverse conditions caused by EtOH during gestation. Children diagnosed with potentially exhibit host phenotypes including growth retardation, facial dysmorphology, central nervous system anomalies, abnormal behavior, and cognitive deficits. Previous...

The organization of somatosensory neocortex was investigated in three species marsupials, the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), striped possum (Dactylopsila trivirgata), and short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). In these species, multiunit microelectrode mapping techniques were used to determine detailed primary area (SI). quoll, topography regions rostral (R), caudal (C) SI described as well. Lateral SI, two fields identified possum, second (SII) parietal ventral (PV); there...

The process of generating functionally distinct neocortical areas requires the formation an intra-neocortical connectivity map. Here, we explore early development murine projections and find that axons from rostral caudal neurons remain, respectively, within large domains neonatal neocortex. Despite evidence thalamic input can regulate areal properties, found projection pattern was not perturbed when absent in Gbx2 mutants. On contrary, Fgf8 hypomorphic mutants, neocortex which acquires more...

Abstract The present investigation is part of a broader effort to examine cortical areas that contribute manual dexterity, reaching, and grasping. In this study we the thalamic connections electrophysiologically defined regions in area 3a architectonically primary motor cortex (M1). Our studies demonstrate receives input from nuclei associated with somatosensory system: superior, inferior, lateral divisions ventral posterior complex (VPs, VPi, VPl, respectively). Surprisingly, majority its...

Background Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) describe the wide array of long‐lasting developmental abnormalities in offspring due to prenatal (ethanol [EtOH]) exposure via maternal gestational drinking. Although teratogenic consequences EtOH exposure, are apparent, effects preconception paternal (PatEE) still unclear. Previous research suggests that PatEE can induce molecular changes and abnormal behavior offspring. However, it is not known whether impacts development neocortex as...

A hallmark of mammalian development is the generation functional subdivisions within nervous system. In humans, this regionalization creates a complex system that regulates behavior, cognition, memory, and emotion. During development, specification neocortical tissue leads to sensory motor regions results from an interplay between cortically intrinsic, molecular processes, such as gene expression, extrinsic processes regulated by input. Cortical in mice occurs pre- perinatally, when...

Abstract Background Healthy post-pregnancy outcomes are contingent upon an informed regimen of prenatal care encouraging healthy maternal consumption habits. In this article, we describe aspects intake food, drink, and medication in a population predominantly Hispanic women Southern California. Potential implications for unhealthy dietary choices discussed. Methods The Food, Beverage, Medication Intake Questionnaire (FBMIQ) measures common practices during pregnancy. FBMIQ was administered...

Theories of both cortical field development and evolution propose that thalamocortical projections play a critical role in the differentiation fields (; ). In present study, we examined how changing size immature neocortex before establishment connections affects subsequent organization adult neocortex. This alteration cortex is consistent with one most profound changes made to mammalian throughout evolution: size. Removing caudal one-third three-fourths neuroepithelial sheet unilaterally at...

Auditory pathways contain orderly representations of frequency selectivity, which begin at the cochlea and are transmitted to brainstem via topographically ordered axonal pathways. The mechanisms that establish these tonotopic maps not known. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases their ligands, ephrins, have a demonstrated role in establishing topographic projections elsewhere brain, including visual pathway. Here, we examined function proteins formation auditory maps. In birds, first central...

The mammalian neocortex contains an intricate processing network of multiple sensory and motor areas that allows the animal to engage in complex behaviors. These anatomically functionally unique their distinct connections arise during early development, through a process termed arealization. Both intrinsic, activity-independent extrinsic, activity-dependent mechanisms drive arealization, much which occurs areal patterning period (APP) from late embryogenesis postnatal life. How boundaries...

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) represent a leading cause of non-genetic neuropathologies. Recent preclinical evidence from suggests that prenatal ethanol exposure (PrEE), like other environmental exposures, may have significant, transgenerational impact on the offspring directly exposed animals, including altered neocortical development at birth and behavior in peri-pubescent mice. How these adverse behavioral outcomes are manifested within brain time disruption remains...

We examined the internal organization and connections of primary visual area, V1, in South American marsupial Monodelphis domestica. Multiunit electrophysiological recording techniques were used to record from neurons at multiple sites. Receptive field location, size, progressions, reversals systematically determine visuotopic V1 its boundaries with adjacent areas. As other mammals, a virtually complete representation hemifield was observed which coextensive region dense myelination. The...

A hallmark of mammalian evolution is the structural and functional complexity cerebral cortex. Within cortex, neocortex, or isocortex, a 6-layered complexly organized structure that comprised multiple interconnected sensory motor areas. These areas their precise patterns connections arise during development, through process termed arealization. Intrinsic, activity-independent extrinsic, activity-dependent mechanisms are involved in development neocortical connections. The intrinsic molecular...

Abstract Background Anatomically and functionally distinct sensory motor neocortical areas form during mammalian development through a process called arealization. This is believed to be reliant on both activity-dependent activity-independent mechanisms. Although mechanisms are thought function concurrently arealization, the nature of their interaction not understood. To examine potential interplay extrinsic mechanisms, such as input, intrinsic including gene expression in mouse development,...

Uncovering relationships between neuroanatomy, behavior, and evolution are important for understanding the factors that control brain function. Voluntary exercise is one key behavior both affects, may be affected by, neuroanatomical variation. Moreover, recent studies suggest an role physical activity in evolution. We used a unique ongoing artificial selection model which mice bred high voluntary wheel-running yielding four replicate lines of runner (HR) run ∼3-fold more revolutions per day...