Self-organizing Neural Maps: The Retinotectal Map and Mechanisms of Neural Development

Self-organizing Neural Maps: From Retina to Tectum describes the underlying processes that determine how retinal fibers self-organize into an orderly visual map. The formation of neural maps is a fundamental organizing concept in neurodevelopment that can shed light on developmental mechanisms and the functions of genes elsewhere. The book presents a summary of research in the retinotectal field with an ultimate goal of synthesizing how underlying mechanisms in neural development harmoniously come together to create life. A broad spectrum of neuroscientists and biomedical scientists with differing backgrounds and varied expertise will find this book useful. - Describes the mechanisms relating to the developmental wiring of the retinotectal system - Brings together the state-of-the-art research in axon guidance and neuronal activity mechanisms in map formation - Focuses on topographical maps and inclusion of multiple animal models, from fish to mammals - Explores the molecular guidance and activity dependent cue components involved in neurodevelopment

Dr. Schmidt is Professor Emeritus at the University of Albany (SUNY) in the Department of Biological Sciences. He has worked in the retinotectal area since the early 1970s and published more than 60 articles and chapters. For the last four decades, he was Professor of Biological Sciences at SUNY-Albany, serving for 25 years as the Director of the Center for Neuroscience Research. In the 1990s, he together with Professor Jonathan Wolpaw organized an international conference on the wider subject and edited a volume of the proceedings for the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, entitled Activity-Driven CNS Changes in Learning and Development (Volume 627). This volume was the NY Academy's bestselling issue of all time.