The Embryonic Preoptic Area Is a Novel Source of Cortical GABAergic Interneurons

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0604-09.2009
• Publication Date: 2009-07-22T17:28:53Z
• Authors: Diego M. Gelman; Francisco J. Martini; Sandrina Nóbrega-...; Alessandra Pierani; Nicoletta Kessaris; Oscar Marín
• Keywords: Ganglionic eminence; Interneuron; Neocortex

GABA-containing (GABAergic) interneurons play an important role in the function of cerebral cortex. Through mostly inhibitory mechanisms, control hyperexcitability and synchronize shape spatiotemporal dynamics cortical activity underlying various brain functions. Studies over past 10 years have demonstrated that, most mammals, originate during development from subcortical telencephalon—the subpallium—and reach cortex through tangential migration. Until now, been to derive exclusively two subpallial regions, medial ganglionic eminence caudal eminence. Here, we show that another structure, preoptic area, is a novel source GABAergic mouse. In utero labeling genetic lineage-tracing experiments demonstrate neurons born this region migrate neocortex hippocampus, where they differentiate into distinct population with relatively uniform neurochemical, morphological, electrophysiological properties.