In the Footsteps of the Prosomeric Model

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Background

Two paradigms on fundamental brain structure have disputed primacy: neuromeric models, attending to embryonic transversal bulging subdivisions or neuromeres (unknown functions), and the columnar model, attending to adult longitudinal ventricular sulci, held to separate basic functional columns. The columnar model was as the victor up to the birth of molecular neurobiology. However, molecular and causal exploration of the developing brain, and progress in evolutionary studies, showed that the columnar model has poor explanatory value and is inconsistent with accruing data (e.g., sulci not developmentally relevant, being unrelated to gene expression patterns). Contrarily, success in assimilating such data put the neuromeric models back into orbit, and singularly the prosomeric model of Puelles and Rubenstein. This holds that intersecting longitudinal and transverse neural tube zones define histogenetic units or progenitor domains with unique molecular profiles, which collectively build the complex brain. The basic pattern is common to all vertebrates, irrespective of variations. Functions have started to emerge.

The leading figure in the definition and updating of the prosomeric model is Prof. Luis Puelles. Having started considering this heterodox option in the seventies due to a set of unexplained diencephalic Golgi data, he proposed an early version of the model in 1987. He was supported by Rubenstein in the nineties in a still continuing collaboration. His numerous efforts jointly with many others to demonstrate the advantages and possibilities of this model in modern molecular and experimental developmental and comparative neurobiology have led to unprecedented progress in the field, covering all brain parts (amphioxus to man), fixing concepts, and improving terminology. Active still as Professor Emeritus at the University of Murcia, Spain, we want to honor him by reviewing collectively how the model has aided us in understanding the different regions of the brain of vertebrates. His detailed models of the forebrain (midbrain, diencephalon, hypothalamus, subpallium, pallium, amygdala) and the hindbrain (isthmus, cerebellum, prepontine, pontine, retropontine and medulla oblongata regions) are first-rate instruments to explore patterning, histogenesis, morphogenesis and evolution of the brain, including connectivity, synaptogenesis and malformations. We want to gather an international series of articles that interpret neurobiological results obtained through the prism of the prosomeric model.

We invite research, review or commentary publications that clarify conceptual or application aspects of the prosomeric model in a global or specific way. Articles that using the prosomeric model make contributions in the fields of brain development or evolution of the brain would be expected. Authors can submit publications related to specific brain regions (e.g., forebrain, midbrain or hindbrain), review fate mapping or transgenic progeny analysis experiments, examine cell migrations, connections, or axonal navigational patterns, consider plurineuromeric arrangement of functional systems, or focus their research on specific brain derivatives (nuclei or layers) that require a neuromeric approach to their adequate ontogenetic and / or evolutionary interpretation. All contributions can be in the form of original research, brief research report, commentary or review.

Keywords: Prosomeric Model, Developmental and Comparative Neurobiology, Forebrain, Midbrain, Hindbrain

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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