Topic: axonal pathfinding

How do neurons in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) organize themselves during development to establish networks involved in complex functions like learning and memory? From developmental studies of cortical and subcortical structures, one transcription factor called Bcl11b (encoding Ctip2) is responsible for neuronal differentiation and axonal pathfinding. Interestingly, in the MEC, Bcl11b is expressed by Reelin-positive (Reln+) projection neurons in layers 2 and by intracortical projection neurons in layer 5a . Because Bcl11b is widely expressed by these early born MEC neurons, we hypothesi

Neural network formation throughout development and regeneration after injury depends on accuracy of axonal pathfinding, which is influenced by chemical and physical cues. Recently, there is growing evidence that local temperature fluctuations in the brain play a crucial role in axonal guidance. However, the precise mechanisms involved in this process are not completely understood. We hypothesize that spontaneous and trauma-induced axon growth is repelled by increasing nanoscale temperature gradients leading to growth inhibition and growth cone retraction. Transient receptor potential vanilloi