The Ontogenesis of Cortical Circuitry: The Spatial Distribution of Synapses in Somesthetic Cortex of Newborn Dog

1. Front Matter

   Pages N1-5

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2. Introduction

   • Mark E. Molliver, Hendrik Van der Loos

   Pages 7-13

3. Methods

   • Mark E. Molliver, Hendrik Van der Loos

   Pages 14-27

4. Results

   • Mark E. Molliver, Hendrik Van der Loos

   Pages 27-37

5. Discussion

   • Mark E. Molliver, Hendrik Van der Loos

   Pages 37-49

6. Summary

   • Mark E. Molliver, Hendrik Van der Loos

   Pages 50-50

7. Back Matter

   Pages 50-54

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The ontogenesis of cortical circuitry is the subject of the investigation reported in this paper!. Strategie elements of cortical circuitry are synaptic contacts: sites of neuronal interaction. If we first determine the location of early formed synap­ ses, we may then seek the pre-and postsynaptic elements, that is, the structures which meet and interact at each synaptic junction. The dynamic aspects of cortical development cannot be studied directly: neuronal growth cannot be observed in an intact brain. The pattern of develop­ ment can be approached only by the analysis of static properties at multiple ages. We have selected the newborn dog as a starting point for these studies. Our observations have been restricted to a small portion of primary somesthetic cor­ tex. This region was selected because, in mature cortex, its input and physiologie properties are relatively weIl known. It is particularly advantageous to study a primary sensory projection area because its morphologie development can be di­ rectly related to its functional development. (A related investigation of the onto­ genesis of electrical activity in somesthetic cortex of the dog will be reported separately). A selective review of the literature is necessary in order to place this work in the context of a few relevant phenomena of cortical development.

• Cortex
• Synapses
• development
• growth
• morphology
• physiology

• Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA

  Mark E. Molliver, Hendrik Loos

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