Development of the Mouse Lateral Telencephalon

Abstract: The telencephalon is the most rostral part of the vertebrate central nervous system and is comprised of a number of structures important for voluntary movements and higher cognitive processes. This thesis focuses on the genetic mechanisms that control development of a number of telencephalic structures: the olfactory bulb, the striatum as well as the lateral and basolateral nuclei of the amygdala. All of these structures are believed to originate from distinct lateral telencephalic progenitor domains. In recent years, some authors have begun dividing the telencephalon into discrete progenitor domains based on the expression of distinct developmental control genes. This represents a natural move away from a morphology-based literature. The advantage of this paradigm shift should be obvious; it not only allows for greater linguistic precision, it is also a prerequisite for furthering our understanding of the origin of distinct neuronal subtypes and the organization of the embryonic and adult telencephalon. In the studies included in this thesis, we have started to address how the lateral telencephalic progenitor domains, i.e., the lateral pallium, the ventral pallium, the dorsal lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE), and the ventral LGE, are established and/or maintained. Furthermore, our data have contributed to the understanding of what neuronal subtypes are generated from individual progenitor domains