Dendrites of Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons: The Key to Understand Intellectual Disability
Alberto Granato, Adalberto Merighi
Abstract
Pyramidal neurons (PNs) are the most abundant cells of the neocortex and display a vast dendritic tree, divided into basal and apical compartments. Morphological and functional anomalies of PN dendrites are at the basis of virtually all neurological and mental disorders, including intellectual disability. Here, we provide evidence that the cognitive deficits observed in different types of intellectual disability might be sustained by different parts of the PN dendritic tree, or by a dysregulation of their interaction.
Topics & Concepts
NeocortexNeuroscienceIntellectual disabilityDendritic spineBiologyPyramidal cellPsychologyCognitionBasal (medicine)HippocampusPsychiatryHippocampal formationEndocrinologyInsulinNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchGenetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms