Epilogue

Abstract

The present monograph introduces new developmental data elucidating, for the first time, why, how, and in what order the mammalian cerebral cortex becomes stratified as well as the number and timing of the different strata formation (Chaps. 3–9). The ascending maturation of pyramidal neurons represents a mammalian innovation and the cerebral cortex essential functional axis. These neurons’ anatomical and functional maturations follow, in all mammals, an ascending and stratified progression from lower (and older) to upper (and younger) gray matter regions. Moreover, the functional incorporation into the developing cortical gray matter of the different fiber systems, local-circuit interneurons, intrinsic microvascular system, and differentiation of protoplasmic astrocytes all follow an ascending and concomitant stratification that parallels with pyramidal neurons (Chaps. 3–8). The mammalian cerebral cortex cytoarchitectural organization should be thought as a series of ascending and functionally interconnected strata (laminations) rather than by descending ones as the current and universally held opinion proposes.