Disorders of Neuronal Migration

Neuronal migration is a unique process during the development of brain structure. Although cerebral anomalies resulting from impaired migration have been identified for nearly a century, most of our knowledge has accumulated in the last decade. Disorders of neuronal migration are causes of mental handicap, autism, and epilepsy. Many are genetically determined and need precise diagnosis to provide genetic counselling. This book addresses the various aspects of neuronal migration disorders in an ordered way. It will help the clinician to acquire insight as well as proficiency in diagnosis. Individual chapters describe subgroups including lissencephalies, subependymal heterotopia, non-lissencephalic cortical dysplasias, anomalies of the corpus callosum, hemimegalencephaly, schizencephaly, polymicrogyria and multisystem disorders with impaired migration such as chromosomal and metabolic syndromes. Neuroradiological and genetic data are provided with the respective chapters. Although the book is intended for clinical practice, it provides core information for all interested in this important biological process.