Development of cortical folding during evolution and ontogeny

Cortical folding is a hallmark of many, but not all, mammalian brains. The degree of folding increases with brain size across mammals, but at different scales between orders and families. In this review we summarize recent studies that have shed light on cortical folding and discuss new models that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) 2013-05, Vol.36 (5), p.275-284
Main Authors: Zilles, Karl, Palomero-Gallagher, Nicola, Amunts, Katrin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological Evolution
Brain
Brain Mapping
cerebral cortex
Cerebral Cortex - growth & development
cortical development
cortical folding
Evolution
Genetics
Humans
Mammals
Neurology
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Neurosciences
ontogeny
Organ Size - physiology
Species Specificity
tension hypothesis
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Summary:Cortical folding is a hallmark of many, but not all, mammalian brains. The degree of folding increases with brain size across mammals, but at different scales between orders and families. In this review we summarize recent studies that have shed light on cortical folding and discuss new models that arise from these data. Genetic analyses argue for an independent development of brain volume and gyrification, but more recent data on the cellular development of the cortex and its connectivity highlight the role of these processes in cortical folding (grey matter hypothesis). This, and the widely discussed tension hypothesis, further tested by analyzing the mechanical properties of maturing nerve fibers, synapses, and dendrites, can provide the basis for a future integrative view on cortical folding.
ISSN:0166-2236
1878-108X
DOI:10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.006