engleski

Linking histology and neurological development of the fetal and infant brain

Histogenesis of human cerebral cortex and related subcortical structures begins at late embryonic period and finishes by adolescence. During this protracted period, various histogenetic events occur sequentially, but with partially overlapping manner, within defined cytoarchitectonical compartments, displaying growth spurts. Neurological development may be monitored by analysis of spontaneous and evoked functions using different electrophysiological, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and neurobehavioral tests that are age appropriate. Proliferative and migratory events dominate in early fetal life, midfetal period is characterized by growth of long pathways, cell aggregation, dendritic differentiation, and development of neuronal and glia phenotypes, while infancy is dominated by synaptogenesis, dendritogenesis, and the growth of short corticocorticals and myelination. Functional activity of early fetal period is spontaneous, midfetal period is sensory expectant, and evoked potentials may be elicited after 22 weeks. Postnatal functional maturation is characterized by gradual emergence of emotional, social, cognitive, and somatomotor executive functions, which develop in interaction with environment.

cerebral cortex ; fetal brain ; functional and neurological development ; functional connectivity ; histogenetic events ; infant brain ; subcortical structures ; transient cellular compartments

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