Essentials of Noncoding RNA in Neuroscience: Ontogenetics, Plasticity of the Vertebrate Brain focuses on the role of miRNAs in neurogenesis, gliogenesis, neuronal network formation, and the cell biology of forebrain development. The important role miRNAs play in neuronal maturation, neocortex function, and in some neurodevelopmental disorders is discussed, as are the computational challenges and methods used in the identification of miRNA targets.

This book is a valuable reference for neuroscientists who wish to better understand the role of miRNAs in complex processes. It is of strong interest to those working to develop enabling technologies to detect and monitor miRNA expression and function, and to evaluate its roles in neural progenitor proliferation/differentiation, neuronal plasticity, and learning and memory.

• Discusses the unique features of neural miRNAs
• Details functional investigation of miRNA actions and current experimental approaches
• Includes extensive coverage of miRNA biology, developmental and postnatal neurogenesis, and computational challenges for miRNA target identification
• Contains thorough discussion of the transcriptional control of miRNA expression in forebrain development and in specific neuronal subtypes, as well as miRNA function in neurogenesis, neuronal network maturation, plasticity, gliogenesis, and dysfunction
• Provides an overview of miRNA roles in neurodevelopmental disorders and their possible role in the evolution of the neocortex