Protomap (neuroscience)

The Protomap is a concept in neuroscience that refers to the early spatial organization of the neural tube that eventually gives rise to the cerebral cortex. This concept was first proposed by Pasko Rakic in 1988.

Overview

The protomap theory suggests that the fate of a neuron is determined by its location in the ventricular zone of the neural tube. This is in contrast to the protocortex theory, which proposes that the fate of a neuron is determined after it migrates to the cortical plate.

Protomap vs Protocortex

The protomap and protocortex theories are two competing theories in neuroscience that attempt to explain how the cerebral cortex develops. The protomap theory suggests that the fate of a neuron is determined by its location in the ventricular zone of the neural tube. On the other hand, the protocortex theory proposes that the fate of a neuron is determined after it migrates to the cortical plate.

Evidence for Protomap

Several lines of evidence support the protomap theory. For example, experiments have shown that when cells from one region of the ventricular zone are transplanted to another region, they maintain their original identity. This suggests that the fate of a neuron is determined by its location in the ventricular zone, supporting the protomap theory.

Criticisms of Protomap

Despite the evidence supporting the protomap theory, it has been criticized for being too deterministic. Critics argue that the theory does not account for the plasticity of the brain and the ability of neurons to change their function in response to experience.

See also

• Neurogenesis
• Neural development
• Cerebral cortex
• Pasko Rakic