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Abstract
The molecular mechanisms that control regional specification, morphogenesis and differentiation
of the embryonic forebrain are not known, although recently several laboratories have
isolated homeobox, Wnt and other genes that are candidates for playing roles in these
processes. Most of these genes exhibit temporally and spatially restricted patterns
of expression within the forebrain. However, analysis of the spatial patterns has
been complicated because an understanding of the organization of the embryonic forebrain
has been lacking. This article describes a neuromeric model of the forebrain that
is consistent with the expression patterns of these genes, and that provides a framework
for understanding the morphological relationships within this complex structure.