During development the vast majority of cells that will later compose the mature cerebral cortex undergo extensive migration to reach their final position. In addition to intrinsically distinct migratory behaviors, cells encounter and respond to vastly different microenvironments. These range from axonal tracts to cell-dense matrices, electrically active regions and extracellular matrix components, which may all change overtime. Furthermore, migrating neurons themselves not only adapt to their microenvironment but also modify the local niche through cell-cell contacts, secreted factors and ions. In the radial dimension, the developing cortex is roughly divided into dense progenitor and cortical plate territories, and a less crowded intermediate zone. The cortical plate is bordered by the subplate and the marginal zone, which are populated by neurons with high electrical activity and characterized by sophisticated neuritic ramifications. Neuronal migration is influenced by these boundaries resulting in dramatic changes in migratory behaviors as well as morphology and electrical activity. Modifications in the levels of any of these parameters can lead to alterations and even arrest of migration. Recent work indicates that morphology and electrical activity of migrating neuron are interconnected and the aim of this review is to explore the extent of this connection. We will discuss on one hand how the response of migrating neurons is altered upon modification of their intrinsic electrical properties and whether, on the other hand, the electrical properties of the cellular environment can modify the morphology and electrical activity of migrating cortical neurons.

在发育过程中，以后将构成成熟大脑皮层的绝大多数细胞会经历广泛的迁移，以到达最终位置。除了本质上不同的迁移行为外，细胞还会遇到并响应极为不同的微环境。这些范围从轴突束到细胞致密基质，电活性区域和细胞外基质成分，这些都可能随时间变化。此外，迁移的神经元本身不仅适应其微环境，而且还通过细胞与细胞的接触，分泌的因子和离子来修饰局部生态位。在径向方向上，发育中的皮层大致分为致密的祖细胞和皮层板区域，以及较少拥挤的中间区域。皮质板以亚板和边缘区为边界，其由具有高电活动的神经元组成，并具有复杂的神经分枝。神经元迁移受到这些边界的影响，从而导致迁移行为以及形态和电活动发生巨大变化。这些参数中任何一个的水平修改都可能导致更改，甚至阻止迁移。最近的工作表明，迁移神经元的形态和电活动是相互联系的，而本综述的目的是探讨这种联系的程度。我们将一方面讨论迁移神经元的内在电特性改变后如何改变其反应，另一方面，细胞环境的电特性是否可以改变迁移皮质神经元的形态和电活动。