During brain development, progenitors generate successive waves of neurons that populate distinct cerebral regions, where they settle and differentiate within layers or nuclei. While migrating and differentiating, neurons are subjected to mechanical forces arising from the extracellular matrix, and their interaction with neighboring cells. Changes in brain biomechanical properties, during its formation or aging, are converted in neural cells by mechanotransduction into intracellular signals that control key neurobiological processes. Here, we summarize recent findings that support the contribution of mechanobiology to neurodevelopment, with focus on the cerebral cortex. Also discussed are the existing toolbox and emerging technologies made available to assess and manipulate the physical properties of neurons and their environment.

中文翻译：

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机械力协调大脑发育

在大脑发育过程中，祖细胞产生连续的神经元波，这些神经元分布在不同的大脑区域，在那里它们在层或核内定居和分化。在迁移和分化过程中，神经元受到来自细胞外基质及其与相邻细胞相互作用的机械力的影响。大脑生物力学特性的变化，在其形成或老化过程中，通过机械转导在神经细胞中转化为控制关键神经生物学过程的细胞内信号。在这里，我们总结了最近的发现，这些发现支持机械生物学对神经发育的贡献，重点是大脑皮层。还讨论了可用于评估和操纵神经元及其环境的物理特性的现有工具箱和新兴技术。