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[Quantitative changes in fibro-architectonics of the human cerebral cortex from birth to 12 years of age]
T A Tsekhmistrenko1, V A Vasil'eva, N S Shumeĭko
1Department of Human Anatomy, Russian University of Peoples' Friendship, Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Institute of Age Physiology, Russian Academy of Education, Moscow.
Insights
Brain development shows distinct patterns of fiber growth in different cortical areas of children. These changes are most rapid in the first three years and continue at a slower pace until age 12.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroanatomy
Context:
- Understanding the developing human brain is crucial for identifying developmental disorders.
- Fibroarchitectonics, the study of white matter organization, provides insights into neural circuit development.
Purpose:
- To investigate the age-related changes in the white matter structure (fibroarchitectonics) across distinct functional and topographical zones of the developing human cerebral cortex.
- To analyze the heterochronic development of cortical areas in children from birth to 12 years.
Summary:
- Examined brain specimens from 74 children (birth to 12 years) using Nissl, Peters, and Golgi staining methods with computer-assisted image analysis.
- Quantified radial fiber fascicle thickness, inter-fascicle distances, and neuron-to-fiber volume density ratios in specific cortical areas (3, 4p, 6op, 17, 19, 37ac, 44, 32/10).
- Revealed that fibroarchitectonic development is heterochronic and varies in intensity across sensomotor, somatosensory, occipital, temporo-parieto-occipital, and frontal cortices, with the most significant changes occurring within the first 2-3 years of life.
Impact:
- Provides a detailed map of white matter maturation across different cortical regions in early childhood.
- Highlights critical periods of brain development, particularly the first three years, for white matter organization.
- Establishes a baseline for future research on neurodevelopmental disorders affecting white matter structure.
Abstract:
The peculiarities of fibroarchitectonics in topographically and functionally distinct cortical zones (including temporo-parieto-occipital subarea, occipital, pre-, postcentral, and frontal areas) were studied in the brain specimens of 74 children of different ages (from birth to 12 years) taken with yearly intervals, while those in the first year of life--with monthly intervals. Frontal sections stained with Nissl, Peters and Golgi methods were studied using computer analysis of optical images. The data were obtained on the increment rates of radial fiber fascicles' thickness, distances between fascicles and age dynamics of ratios of volume densities of neurons and fibers in areas 3, 4p, 6op, 17, 19, 37ac, 44 and 32/10. It was shown that age-related transformations of fibroarchitectonics in the areas of sensomotor, somatosensory, occipital, temporo-parieto-occipital and frontal cortex were heterochronic and took place with different intensity; most pronounced changes were found to occur during the first 2-3 years, while less intensive ones were observed up to the age of 9-12 years.
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