Cortical minicolumn

Cortical minicolumns are vertical columns of neurons in the brain's cerebral cortex that are thought to act as a single functional unit. They are a basic unit of organization in the cerebral cortex and are composed of approximately 80-120 neurons.

Structure

The structure of a cortical minicolumn consists of a group of neurons stacked on top of each other from the pia mater to the white matter. These neurons are interconnected in a vertical fashion, with each neuron in the column responding to the same type of sensory stimuli. The neurons within a minicolumn are more strongly interconnected with each other than with neurons in adjacent minicolumns.

Function

The function of cortical minicolumns is not fully understood, but they are thought to play a key role in information processing in the brain. Each minicolumn is believed to process a small piece of information, and the combined activity of many minicolumns allows for complex cognitive functions.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in cortical minicolumns have been implicated in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. In these conditions, the structure and function of minicolumns may be altered, leading to disruptions in information processing.

See also

• Neuron
• Cerebral cortex
• Neurological disorders

References

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