Self-organizing Neural Maps: The Retinotectal Map and Mechanisms of Neural Development: From Retina to Tectum

Self-organizing Neural Maps: From Retina to Tectum describes the underlying processes that determine how retinal fibers self-organize into an orderly visual map. The formation of neural maps is a fundamental organizing concept in neurodevelopment that can shed light on developmental mechanisms and the functions of genes elsewhere. The book presents a summary of research in the retinotectal field with an ultimate goal of synthesizing how underlying mechanisms in neural development harmoniously come together to create life. A broad spectrum of neuroscientists and biomedical scientists with differing backgrounds and varied expertise will find this book useful.

Describes the mechanisms relating to the developmental wiring of the retinotectal systemBrings together the state-of-the-art research in axon guidance and neuronal activity mechanisms in map formationFocuses on topographical maps and inclusion of multiple animal models, from fish to mammalsExplores the molecular guidance and activity dependent cue components involved in neurodevelopment

1. Overview and Basics of the Retinotectal Projection 2. Early Work Supports, but Also Contradicts, Rigid Chemoaffinity 3. The search for chemoaffinity molecules - verification of molecular gradients 4. Plasticity after surgical ablations shows the limits of chemoaffinity 5. Natural Plasticity - Analysis of the effects of divergent retinal and tectal growth on the projection 6. Specification and developmental genetics of Eph/ephrin gradients 7. Growth of retinal axons along the visual pathway 8. Genetic Analysis of the molecular gradients defining map formation 9. Activity mechanisms shape central retinal projections 10. Activity: Molecular signaling to growth mechanisms