Creative destruction: a basic computational model of cortical layer formation

Abstract

One of the most characteristic properties of many vertebrate neural systems is the layered organization of different cell types. This cytoarchitecture exists in the cortex, the retina, the hippocampus and many other parts of the central nervous system. The developmental mechanisms of neural layer formation have been subject to substantial experimental efforts. Here, we provide a general computational model for cortical layer formation in 3D physical space. We show that this multi-scale, agent-based model comprising two distinct stages of apoptosis, can account for the wide range of neuronal numbers encountered in different cortical areas and species. Our results demonstrate the phenotypic richness of a basic state diagram structure, and suggest a novel function for apoptosis. Moreover, slightly changed gene regulatory dynamics recapitulate characteristic properties observed in neurodevelopmental diseases. Overall, we propose a novel computational model using gene-type rules, exhibiting many characteristics of normal and pathological cortical development.

Constructive connectomics: How neuronal axons get from here to there using gene-expression maps derived from their family trees

“…Previous models have described network formation in terms of cellular agents containing a small, but explicit, program consisting of few developmental primitives [17,[51][52][53][54]. These generative cellular programs include physical constraints on development to explain network formation [55].…”

Retinal self-organization: a model of RGC and SAC mosaic formation

“…For instance, CD could be implicated in refining retinal functional connectivity and activity. CD could also have evolutionary advantage with regard to generating an optimised neural architecture (32).…”