The cerebral cortex is a complex six-layered structure that contains an important diversity of neurons, and has rich local and extrinsic connectivity. Among the mechanisms governing the cerebral cortex construction, neuronal migration is perhaps the most crucial as it ensures the timely formation of specific and selective neuronal circuits. Here, we review the main extrinsic and extrinsic factors involved in regulating neuronal migration in the cortex and describe some environmental factors interfering with their actions.
© 2011 The Authors. European Journal of Neuroscience © 2011 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.