Focal or multifocal malformations in neuronal migration

Overview

(also, and better, called cortical developmental anomaly), term referring to a wide spectrum of developmental malformations of the cortex caused by disruption to its normal process of formation, which includes proliferation, migration and organization (lamination, giration and sulcation)

Causes

Any event that interferes with the various steps of cortical formation can cause a developmental anomaly. This includes infections (cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis), ischaemic insults, both exogenous and endogenous toxins from metabolic disorders and radiation exposure. Many syndromes, some genetically based, are associated with developmental malformation of the neocortex, but many cortical anomalies are simply "sporadic".