Characterization of a mammalian prosencephalic functional plan

Hypothalamic organizational concepts have greatly evolved as the primary hypothalamic pathways have been systematically investigated. In the present review, we describe how the hypothalamus arises from a molecularly heterogeneous region of the embryonic neural tube but is first differentiated as a p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sophie eCroizier, Sandrine eChometton, Dominique eFellmann, Pierre-Yves eRisold
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2015-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroanatomy
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Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnana.2014.00161/full
Description
Summary:Hypothalamic organizational concepts have greatly evolved as the primary hypothalamic pathways have been systematically investigated. In the present review, we describe how the hypothalamus arises from a molecularly heterogeneous region of the embryonic neural tube but is first differentiated as a primary neuronal cell cord (earliest mantle layer). This structure defines two axes that align onto two fundamental components: a longitudinal tractus postopticus/retinian component and a transverse supraoptic tract/olfactory component. We then discuss how these two axonal tracts guide the formation of all major tracts that connect the telencephalon with the hypothalamus/ventral midbrain, highlighting the existence of an early basic plan in the functional organization of the prosencephalic connectome.
ISSN:1662-5129