The second line of research is aimed at the cortical projection neurons. These neurons interconnect a given cortical area with both other cortical areas and other parts of the central nervous system. During the course of development, classes of these neurons undergo major changes in their distribution pattern. For example, early in development, one major class of cortical projection neurons sends one neuronal process to the other hemisphere and a second to a region within the same hemisphere. In the adult, a given neuron projects to only one of these targets.
Ongoing research is aimed at elucidating how the ultimate target is established.
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