2021/09/18 by Baptiste Libé‐Philippot, Pierre Vanderhaeghen · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · #Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling #Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders #Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-genet-071719-020705
openalex publication_date 2021/09/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
The cerebral cortex is at the core of brain functions that are thought to be particularly developed in the human species. Human cortex specificities stem from divergent features of corticogenesis, leading to increased cortical size and complexity. Underlying cellular mechanisms include prolonged patterns of neuronal generation and maturation, as well as the amplification of specific types of stem/progenitor cells. While the gene regulatory networks of corticogenesis appear to be largely conserved among all mammals including humans, they have evolved in primates, particularly in the human species, through the emergence of rapidly divergent transcriptional regulatory elements, as well as recently duplicated novel genes. These human-specific molecular features together control key cellular milestones of human corticogenesis and are often affected in neurodevelopmental disorders, thus linking human neural development, evolution, and diseases.