The cortex in the mammalian brain is the most complex brain region that integrates sensory information and coordinates motor and cognitive processes. To perform such functions, the cortex contains multiple subtypes of neurons that are generated during embryogenesis. Newly born neurons migrate to their proper location in the cortex, grow axons and dendrites, and form neuronal circuits. These developmental processes in the fetal brain are regulated to a large extent by a great variety of factors derived from the mother - starting from simple nutrients as building blocks and ending with hormones. Thus, when the normal maternal environment is disturbed due to maternal infection, stress, malnutrition, or toxic substances, it might have a profound impact on cortical development and the offspring can develop a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we first describe the major developmental processes which generate neuronal diversity in the cortex. We then review our knowledge of how most common maternal insults affect cortical development, perturb neuronal circuits, and lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. We further present a concept of selective vulnerability of cortical neuronal subtypes to maternal-derived insults, where the vulnerability of cortical neurons and their progenitors to an insult depends on the time (developmental period), place (location in the developing brain), and type (unique features of a cell type and an insult). Finally, we provide evidence for the existence of selective vulnerability during cortical development and identify the most vulnerable neuronal types, stages of differentiation, and developmental time for major maternal-derived insults.

哺乳动物大脑中的皮层是整合感觉信息并协调运动和认知过程的最复杂的大脑区域。为了执行这些功能，皮层包含在胚胎发生过程中产生的多种神经元亚型。新生的神经元迁移到它们在皮层的适当位置，长出轴突和树突，并形成神经元回路。胎儿大脑中的这些发育过程在很大程度上受到来自母亲的多种因素的调节 - 从简单的营养素作为构建块开始，到激素结束。因此，当正常的母体环境因母体感染、压力、营养不良或有毒物质而受到干扰时，可能会对皮质发育产生深远影响，后代可能会出现各种神经发育障碍。在这里，我们首先描述了在皮层中产生神经元多样性的主要发育过程。然后，我们回顾了我们对最常见的母体侮辱如何影响皮质发育、扰乱神经元回路并导致神经发育障碍的知识。我们进一步提出了皮质神经元亚型对母源性损伤的选择性脆弱性的概念，其中皮质神经元及其祖细胞对损伤的脆弱性取决于时间（发育期）、地点（发育大脑中的位置）和类型（细胞类型和损伤的独特特征）。最后，我们提供了皮质发育过程中存在选择性脆弱性的证据，并确定了主要母源性损伤中最脆弱的神经元类型、分化阶段和发育时间。