Neurons Help Bridge the Brain's Communication Gap

Rachel Jones

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000231

Abstract

Neurons Help Bridge the Brain's Communication Gap

Highlights

The conventional wisdom that classifies linear, analytical thinkers as left-brained and intuitive, artistic types as right-brained is firmly rooted in the physical and functional anatomy of the brain
The GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons migrate to the developing corpus callosum from different sites within the brain and are found at the midline only transiently, Selected PLoS Biology research articles are accompanied by a synopsis written for a general audience to provide non-experts with insight into the significance of the published work
This illustration of a coronal corpus callosum section of a mouse embryo shows glutamatergic neurons, GABAergic interneurons, and other remaining cells, which together form a complex network in which callosal axons are hypothesized to grow preferentially

Summary

Introduction

The conventional wisdom that classifies linear, analytical thinkers as left-brained and intuitive, artistic types as right-brained is firmly rooted in the physical and functional anatomy of the brain. Previous work has shown that a group of glia (non-neuronal brain cells) found at the midline of the brain—in particular, in a bridge-like structure known as the ‘‘glial sling’’—are essential for this process. The recent finding that the glial sling contains neurons, as well as glial cells, led Lebrand and colleagues to investigate whether these neurons contribute to axonal guidance in the developing corpus callosum.

Results

Conclusion