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Synaptogenesis in the Prefrontal Cortex of the Macaque

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Developmental Neurocognition: Speech and Face Processing in the First Year of Life

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASID,volume 69))

Abstract

Synaptogenesis was described in the prefrontal cortex of the macaque monkeys from conception to death. Five phases were distinguished: 1. An early synaptogenesis above and under the cortical plate, during the first half of embryonic life. 2. A slow synaptogenesis within the cortical plate at midgestation. 3. A very rapid phase of synaptogenesis around birth. This phase takes place concurrently in all the cortical areas, and possibly is controlled by intrinsic mechanisms common to the whole cortical mantle. Some cardinal cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex can already be identified at the end of this phase (four months after birth). 4. A “plateau” phase at high density of synapses during infancy and adolescence. This is a phase of maturation of the synaptic circuits. It coincides with the maturation of the cognitive performance of the prefrontal cortex, and also with the intense social learning of the young macaques. 5. A slow decrease in the density of synapses from puberty to adulthood. Our observations indicate that the synaptoarchitectomc organization of the prefrontal cortex of the macaque monkey is laid down very early in development and directly precedes the maturation of the cognitive functions subserved by this area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Moléculaire, CNRS UAD 1284, 75724, Paris Cédex 15, France

    J. P. Bourgeois

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  1. J. P. Bourgeois
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Psychology Laboratory, E.H.E.S.S. and C.N.R.S., Paris, France

    Bénédicte de Boysson-Bardies

  2. Development and Cognition Unit, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, C.N.R.S., Marseille, France

    Scania de Schonen

  3. Psychology Department, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA

    Peter Jusczyk

  4. Department of Linguistics, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA

    Peter McNeilage

  5. Cognitive Development Unit, MRC, London, UK

    John Morton

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Bourgeois, J.P. (1993). Synaptogenesis in the Prefrontal Cortex of the Macaque. In: de Boysson-Bardies, B., de Schonen, S., Jusczyk, P., McNeilage, P., Morton, J. (eds) Developmental Neurocognition: Speech and Face Processing in the First Year of Life. NATO ASI Series, vol 69. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8234-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8234-6_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4251-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-015-8234-6

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