Naslov
Development of the Human Fronto-opercular Cerebral Cortex (Broca's Region)

Autori
Cepanec, Maja ; Judaš, Miloš

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Book of abstracts of the 6th Graz Symposium on Developmental Neurology : Eary Developmental Transformations / - Graz, 2007, 43-43

Skup
6th Graz Symposium on Developmental Neurology : Eary Developmental Transformations

Mjesto i datum
Graz, Austrija, 03.05.2007. - 05.05.2007

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
frontal cortex; Broca`s region; cytoarchitectonics

Sažetak
Broca's region encompasses opercular and triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, covered by Brodmann's areas 44 and 45, respectively. In addition to its classical language-related functions, Broca's region serves as a likely interface of action and perception important for both verbal and nonverbal communication. OBJECTIVE: To analyze development of magnopyramidality (layer III pyramidal neurons being larger than those in layer V) and dysgranularity (layer IV is present, but poorly developed) as defining cytoarchitectonic features of Broca's region. METHODS: Cytoarchitectonic analysis of Nissl-stained serial sections of 35 human brains from the Zagreb Neuroembryological Collection, ranging in age from 8. postconceptional weeks to 15 postnatal years. RESULTS: The fronto-opercular cortex in the newborn was quite immature (e.g. contains prominent granular layer IV and the transient fetal subplate zone) and key architectonic features were absent during the first postnatal year, but gradually appear during the second (magnopyramidality) and third (dysgranularity) year. The absence of area-defining cytoarchitectonic features precludes the possibility for meaningful investigation of putative cytoarchitectonic asymmetry of frontal language-related regions before the third postnatal year. Thus, prenatal and early postnatal areal specification of Broca's region should be investigated by use of markers for selective expression of genes (and gene products) specific for cortical area, cortical layer or molecular subtype of pyramidal neurons. CONCLUSION: Cytoarchitectonic maturation of cortical areas 44 and 45 is protracted postnatal event requiring at least 2 (and probably 3) years for its gradual completion which roughly coincides with the onset of full-fledged speech and language development.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

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