Neuroscience 2000 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 603.10 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Transient subplate zone of the human fetal cortex: a correlated MRI-neurohistological study. |
| Authors: |
Kostovic, I.*1
; Rados, M.1
; Judas, M.1
; Lusic, M.1
; Hrabac, P.1
1Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
A. Development and Regeneration - 20. Cerebral cortex and limbic system |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | H. Other Systems of the CNS<br />- 99. Association cortex and thalamocortical relations |
| Session: |
603. Cerebral cortex and limbic system: development and regeneration II Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 8, 2000 9:00 AM-10:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall G-J |
| Keywords: | Telencephalon, Cytoarchitecture, Imaging, Maturation |
Transient fetal subplate zone (SP) consists of loosely arranged axons, postmigratory and migratory neurons, growth cones, synapses and glia (Kostovic & Rakic, J Comp Neurol 297:441, 1990). The developmental peak of SP occurs during the sequential ingrowth of major cortical afferent fibre systems when SP serves as a waiting compartment. To explore the potential of MRI technique for in vivo imaging of the SP, we correlated MR images of postmortem fetal brains with variously stained histological sections of age-matched brains. On Tlw MR images (2T Prestige), the SP is clearly delineated as a zone of low signal intensity, situated between the cortical plate and external axonal stratum. This low intensity probably reflects special biochemical and cytological features of the SP, i.e., its high water content, large extracellular space, and fibrillar structure. The SP appears around 15 weeks of gestation (WG), becomes extensive at 22 WG and expands further until 30 WG, when its resolution begins in depth of cortical sulci in primary cortical areas. However, the SP remains well developed below the gyral crests, especially in associative cortical areas. Stained (Nissl, silver impregnation, AChE histochemistry) sections of MR imaged and age-matched fetal brains show that the SP is located outside of major axonal strata, being much thicker in lateral associative cortex of frontal and parietotemporooccipital regions than in medial cortical regions. In conclusion, the SP compartment is clearly delineated in MR images, and its fate can be successfully traced in vivo in MRI studies of cortical reorganization and plasticity after perinatal lesions. The prominence of the SP in human associative cortical areas suggests that it has a special role in the perinatal development of association connectivity.
Supported by Croatian Ministry of Science grant no. 01080101.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2000 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2000. Online.
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