Apoptosis in Neuronal and Cognitive Development?

22 March 2004

Liz Adler

The elimination of numerous superfluous cells through apoptosis is critical to the proper development of the nervous system. Neuronal apoptosis during development can stem from lack of access to various neurotrophic factors (which suppress cell death pathways) or from activation of apoptotic pathways by death signals.

You may be interested in taking a look at the Granule Cell Survival Pathway and its associated i>Science Viewpoint by Vaudry et al., Regulators of Cerebellar Granule Cell Development Act Through Specific Signaling Pathways for a discussion of some signaling pathways involved in the survival of cerebellar granule cells.

Although not specific to neurons, the Perspective by Chao, Dependence Receptors: What Is the Mechanism? provides insight into the mechanism by which dependence receptors (which promote apoptosis in the absence of ligand) work.

General information on the extent and role of neuronal apoptosis during development can be found in many neuroscience texts.