Naslov
Fronto-subcortical connectivity in the human fetal brain : growth of fiber bundles and axon strata

Autori
Vasung, Lana ; Hao, Huang ; Jovanov-Milošević, Nataša ; Pletikos, Mihovil ; Susumu Mori ; Kostović, Ivica

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

Skup
Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting

Mjesto i datum
Chicago (IL), Sjedinjene Američke Države, 17.10.2009. - 21.10.2009

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
frontal cortex; development; connections

Sažetak
The connectivity of the prefrontal associative cortex begins to develop during early fetal life1. The pathways trajectories and growth pattern of fronto-subcortical connections are largely unknown. Here we analyze growth of afferent and efferent fronto-subcortical pathways. We have used DTI tractography in correlation with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining and anti SNAP 25 immunochitochemistry on postmortem fixed brains of human fetuses ranging between 10, 5 – 28 post-conceptual weeks (PCW) from Zagreb Neuroembryological collection and University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank (open DTI database code no. N01-HD-4-3368 and N01-HD- 4-33832. The earliest subcortiocal fibers originate from the nucleus basalis complex, grow trough external capsule and form external sagittal stratum, penetrating subplate zone of the dorsolateral and orbital frontal cortex between 15 and 18 PCW. Fibers from dorsomedial thalamus leave internal capsule and grow trough central and internal (sagittal) stratum penetrating the subplate of the dorsolateral cortex after 18 PCW. Fibers from amygdala form uncinate fascicle visible only on DTI tractography reaching orbital cortex at 13 PCW. Medial prefrontal cortex is ‘ innervated’ by AChE fibers arching around the genu and merging with the cingulate bundle. Major efferent fiber systems are centered around the ventricles and participate in periventricular crossroad of pathways: corpus callosum and internal capsule. In adittion, two well delineated periventricular bundles were seen: 1. SNAP 25 positive bundle interposed between the anterior limb of internal capsule and corpus callosum running in rostro-caudal direction (periventricular stratum) continuing into the fiber systems reaching the pons, 2. periventricular bundle corresponds which runs below the corpus callosum, reaches the internal moiety of the external capsule and merges with AChE-negative perimeters around striatal cell islands, corresponding to fronto-striatal (Muratoff) pathway. We demonstrated potentials of correlated DTI-immunostudies for visualization of pathways trajectories (DTI) and terminal (target) zones (cytochemistry). In conclusion, our results indicate early prenatal development of connections between prefrontal cortex and limbic nuclei (amygdala, dorsomedial nucleus, striatum). Consequently fronto-limbic connectivity is anatomically completed by birth.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA