The development of the cerebral cortex is a complex, long lasting process that contains multiple phases including generation and migration as well as morphological and neurochemical maturation of cortical cells, formation a cell-cell contacts and myelination. Dynamics of development of certain cortical areas are different, which may result in diverse alterations due to possible pre- and postnatal damages. The aim of our studies in human cerebral cortex, especially in the temporal cortex mainly responsible for learning and memory processes, to map certain phases of pre-and postnatal development using morphological (histological) techniques, and comparison of normal development with that found in prematurely born children. The work is conducted in collaboration with the relevant departments of the University of Pécs Medical School.

Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common form of focal epilepsies in which morphological and functional organization of the temporal cortical network is altered. In the background of this alteration, cell death, morphological and neurochemical changes and alteration of synaptic contacts of certain neurons can be found. The aim of our investigation is to shed light on those still unknown morphological alterations at the level of the cells and synapses, which can play a role in rearrangement of temporal cortical network in human epilepsy. The work is conducted in collaboration with the relevant departments of the University of Pécs Medical School.