Cortical interneurons migrate to the cortex using which mode of migration?

Cortical interneurons migrate to the cortex using which mode of migration?

• A. Radial migration
• B. Tangential migration
• C. Dorsal migration
• D. Ventral migration

Answer: (B)

Interneurons that will become the brain’s inhibitory circuitry originate in the ventral forebrain and reach the cortex by tangential migration, moving parallel to the surface of the developing cortex. This path allows them to disperse broadly across the cortical mantle before they settle into specific layers. In contrast, the neurons that form the main excitatory cortical population travel radially from the ventricular zone to the cortical plate along radial glia, perpendicular to the surface. So the best mode for cortical interneurons is tangential migration, because their origin and the need to populate wide areas of the cortex are best served by moving along the plane of the cortex rather than outward from the ventricular surface.

Interneurons that will become the brain’s inhibitory circuitry originate in the ventral forebrain and reach the cortex by tangential migration, moving parallel to the surface of the developing cortex. This path allows them to disperse broadly across the cortical mantle before they settle into specific layers. In contrast, the neurons that form the main excitatory cortical population travel radially from the ventricular zone to the cortical plate along radial glia, perpendicular to the surface. So the best mode for cortical interneurons is tangential migration, because their origin and the need to populate wide areas of the cortex are best served by moving along the plane of the cortex rather than outward from the ventricular surface.