Subplate

Subplate neurons are among the first generated neurons in the mammalian cerebral cortex ref|thalamus4. These neurons disappear during postnatal development and are important in establishing the correct wiring ref|thalamus1ref|thalamus5) and functional maturation ref|thalamus6 of the cerebral cortex.Subplate neurons appear to be selectively sensitive to injury (such as hypoxia) which in humans are associated with motor and cognitive defects ref|thalamus7.

Subplate neurons are the first cortical neurons to receive synaptic inputs from thalamic axons, establishing a temporary link between thalamic axons and their final target in layer 4. ref|thalamus1ref|thalamus2ref|thalamus3. Later, thalamic axons invade layer 4 where they innervate layer 4 neurons. In the visual system thalamic axons to layer 4 form ocular dominance columns and this segregation of thalamic axons is impaired if subplate neurons are missing ref|thalamus1ref|thalamus6.

References

* Ghosh, A. & Shatz, C. J. (1992) "Involvement of subplate neurons in the formation of ocular dominance columns." Science 255, 1441-1443 PMID 1542795
* Friauf, E., McConnell, S. K. & Shatz, C. J. (1990) "Functional synaptic circuits in the subplate during fetal and early postnatal development of cat visual cortex." J. Neurosci. 10, 2601-2613 PMID 2388080
* Rakic, P. (1977) "Prenatal development of the visual system in rhesus monkey." Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. B 278, 245-260 PMID 19781
* Kostovic I, Rakic P.;(1098) "Cytology and time of origin of interstitial neurons in the white matter in infant and adult human and monkey telencephalon" J Neurocytol. 1980 Apr;9(2):219-42 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7441294&query_hl=10&itool=pubmed_docsum]
*McConnell SK, Ghosh A, Shatz CJ; (1989) "Subplate neurons pioneer the first axon pathway from the cerebral cortex" , Science, Sep 1;245(4921):978-82 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2475909&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_docsum]
*Kanold PO, Kara P, Reid RC, Shatz CJ.; (2003) "Role of subplate neurons in functional maturation of visual cortical columns.", Science Jul 25;301(5632):521-5 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12881571&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum]
*McQuillen PS, Ferriero DM; (2005) "Perinatal subplate neuron injury: implications for cortical development and plasticity", Brain Pathol., Jul;15(3):250-60 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16196392&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum]

See also

*Cerebral Cortex
*Cortical column
*Cerebral hemisphere