Biomaterial Database

Excitatory and inhibitory connections show selectivity in the neocortex. 2005

Jo Watts, and Alex M Thomson

Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK. joanne.watts@ulsop.ac.uk

The cerebral cortex is pivotal in information processing and higher brain function and its laminar structure of six distinct layers, each in receipt of a different constellation of inputs, makes it important to identify connectivity patterns and distinctions between excitatory and inhibitory pathways. The 'feedforward' projections from layer 4-3 and from 3-5 target pyramidal cells and to lesser degrees interneurones. 'Feedback' projections from layer 5-3 and from 3-4, on the other hand, mainly target interneurones. Understanding the microcircuitry may give some insight into the computation and information processing performed in this brain region.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009434	Neural Pathways	Neural tracts connecting one part of the nervous system with another.	Neural Interconnections,Interconnection, Neural,Interconnections, Neural,Neural Interconnection,Neural Pathway,Pathway, Neural,Pathways, Neural
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D006624	Hippocampus	A curved elevation of GRAY MATTER extending the entire length of the floor of the TEMPORAL HORN of the LATERAL VENTRICLE (see also TEMPORAL LOBE). The hippocampus proper, subiculum, and DENTATE GYRUS constitute the hippocampal formation. Sometimes authors include the ENTORHINAL CORTEX in the hippocampal formation.	Ammon Horn,Cornu Ammonis,Hippocampal Formation,Subiculum,Ammon's Horn,Hippocampus Proper,Ammons Horn,Formation, Hippocampal,Formations, Hippocampal,Hippocampal Formations,Hippocampus Propers,Horn, Ammon,Horn, Ammon's,Proper, Hippocampus,Propers, Hippocampus,Subiculums
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017966	Pyramidal Cells	Projection neurons in the CEREBRAL CORTEX and the HIPPOCAMPUS. Pyramidal cells have a pyramid-shaped soma with the apex and an apical dendrite pointed toward the pial surface and other dendrites and an axon emerging from the base. The axons may have local collaterals but also project outside their cortical region.	Pyramidal Neurons,Cell, Pyramidal,Cells, Pyramidal,Neuron, Pyramidal,Neurons, Pyramidal,Pyramidal Cell,Pyramidal Neuron
D019579	Neocortex	The largest portion of the CEREBRAL CORTEX in which the NEURONS are arranged in six layers in the mammalian brain: molecular, external granular, external pyramidal, internal granular, internal pyramidal and multiform layers.	Cerebral Neocortex,External Granular Layer,Isocortex,Neocortical External Granular Layer,Neocortical External Pyramidal Layer,Neocortical Internal Granular Layer,Neocortical Internal Pyramidal Layer,Neocortical Molecular Layer,Neocortical Multiform Layer,Neopallial Cortex,Neopallium,Substantia Corticalis,Cerebral Neocortices,Cortex, Neopallial,Corticali, Substantia,Corticalis, Substantia,Cortices, Neopallial,External Granular Layers,Granular Layer, External,Granular Layers, External,Isocortices,Layer, External Granular,Layer, Neocortical Molecular,Layer, Neocortical Multiform,Layers, External Granular,Layers, Neocortical Molecular,Layers, Neocortical Multiform,Molecular Layer, Neocortical,Molecular Layers, Neocortical,Multiform Layer, Neocortical,Multiform Layers, Neocortical,Neocortex, Cerebral,Neocortical Molecular Layers,Neocortical Multiform Layers,Neocortices,Neocortices, Cerebral,Neopallial Cortices,Neopalliums,Substantia Corticali