Institute of Developmental Neurophysiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology, Hamburg Center of Neuroscience (HCNS), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg 20246, Germany
Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2024 Oct 1;16(10):a041502. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041502.
The prefrontal cortex is considered as the site of multifaceted higher-order cognitive abilities. These abilities emerge late in life long after full sensorimotor maturation, in line with the protracted development of prefrontal circuits that has been identified on molecular, structural, and functional levels. Only recently, as a result of the impressive methodological progress of the last several decades, the mechanisms and clinical implications of prefrontal development have begun to be elucidated, yet major knowledge gaps still persist. Here, we provide an overview on how prefrontal circuits develop to enable multifaceted cognitive processing at adulthood. First, we review recent insights into the mechanisms of prefrontal circuit assembly, with a focus on the contribution of early electrical activity. Second, we highlight the major reorganization of prefrontal circuits during adolescence. Finally, we link the prefrontal plasticity during specific developmental time windows to mental health disorders and discuss potential approaches for therapeutic interventions.
前额叶皮层被认为是多方面高级认知能力的所在地。这些能力在充分的感觉运动成熟后很晚才出现，与前额叶回路的发育过程相吻合，这种发育过程在分子、结构和功能水平上都已被确定。直到最近，由于过去几十年令人印象深刻的方法学进展，前额叶发育的机制和临床意义才开始被阐明，但仍存在重大知识空白。在这里，我们概述了前额叶回路如何发育以支持成年后的多方面认知处理。首先，我们回顾了前额叶回路组装机制的最新研究进展，重点关注早期电活动的贡献。其次，我们强调了青春期前额叶回路的主要重组。最后，我们将特定发育时间窗口内的前额叶可塑性与精神健康障碍联系起来，并讨论了潜在的治疗干预方法。
