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Cited by 1,316Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsAxon Guidance and Neuronal SignalingNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Regressive Events in Neurogenesis

Cowan, W. Maxwell, Fawcett, James W., O'Leary, Dennis D. M., Stanfield, Brent B.·1984·Science
DOI 10.1126/science.6474175
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Abstract

The development of most regions of the vertebrate nervous system includes a distinct phase of neuronal degeneration during which a substantial proportion of the neurons initially generated die. This degeneration primarily adjusts the magnitude of each neuronal population to the size or functional needs of its projection field, but in the process it seems also to eliminate many neurons whose axons have grown to either the wrong target or an inappropriate region within the target area. In addition, many connections that are initially formed are later eliminated without the death of the parent cell. In most cases such process elimination results in the removal of terminal axonal branches and hence serves as a mechanism to "fine-tune" neuronal wiring. However, there are now also several examples of the large-scale elimination of early-formed pathways as a result of the selective degeneration of long axon collaterals. Thus, far from being relatively minor aspects of neural development, these regressive phenomena are now recognized as playing a major role in determining the form of the mature nervous system.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.6474175

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108 of 108 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The immature mammalian brain is distinguished from its adult counterpart by the presence of connections between brain areas that are not interconnected in the mature brain and by overlap of terminal fields that are segregated in the adult brain.

    “the immature mammalian brain is distinguished from its adult counterpart by the presence of connections between brain areas that are not interconnected in the mature brain and by overlap of terminal fields that are segregated in the adult brain.”

    From A role for synaptic plasticity in the adolescent development of executive function (2013) · cites this paper as [19]

  • In the central nervous system, overproduction of neurons with ensuing neuronal death is a common mechanism employed by the developing brain to ensure that the appropriate balance of projection and receptive neurons is attained.

    “in the central nervous system overproduction of neurons with ensuing neuronal death is a common mechanism employed by the developing brain to ensure that the appropriate balance of projection and receptive neurons is attained.19, 23, 24, 25”

    From A role for synaptic plasticity in the adolescent development of executive function (2013) · cites this paper as [19]

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Authors
Cowan, W. M., Fawcett, J. W., O'Leary, D. D. M., & Stanfield, B. B.
Affiliations
  • Salk Institute for Biological Studies (US)
  • Weingart Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology and the Clayton Foundation for Research-California Division, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, California 92138.
ORCID
Fawcett, James W.
Venue
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published
1984-09-21
Volume
225
Issue
4668
Pages
1258-1265
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.6474175
OpenAlex
W1993902481
Cited by
1,316
References
108
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 19
FWCI
23.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
neurodegeneration, neuronal cell death, neurogenesis, axon elimination, axon collaterals, synaptic pruning, neuronal wiring, neural development, vertebrate nervous system
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Brain, Cricetinae, Nerve Degeneration, Nerve Growth Factors, Nervous System, Purkinje Cells, Retina, Superior Colliculi, Synapses, Visual Pathways, Rats

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