Neuronal Migration and Malformations of Cortical Development

Any impairment of the complex processes underlying brain ontogenesis will eventually determine developmental brain abnormalities, which are now recognized as important cause of developmental disabilities and focal epilepsy. In this chapter, we will review the so far established pathways of neuronal migration and describe the clinical and pathogenetic aspects of the more relevant types of developmental brain malformations encountered in clinical practice, such as focal cortical dysplasia, periventricular nodular heterotopia, polymicrogyria, schizencephaly, lissencephaly, and band heterotopia.