Book excerpt: Synapse Development and Maturation, the latest release in the Comprehensive Developmental Neuroscience series, presents the latest information on the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of neural development. The book provides a much-needed update that underscores the latest research in this rapidly evolving field, with new section editors discussing the technological advances that are enabling the pursuit of new research on brain development. This volume focuses on the synaptogenesis and developmental sequences in the maturation of intrinsic and synapse-driven patterns. - Features leading experts in various subfields as section editors and article authors - Presents articles that have been peer reviewed to ensure accuracy, thoroughness and scholarship - Includes coverage of mechanisms which regulate synapse formation and maintenance during development - Covers neural activity, from cell-intrinsic maturation, to early correlated patterns of activity