Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
08:59
Horizontal Hippocampal Slices of the Mouse Brain
Published on: September 22, 2020
20.9K
Elemental changes of hippocampal formation occurring during postnatal brain development
J Chwiej1, M Palczynska1, A Skoczen1
1AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Krakow, Poland.
Summary
Elemental changes in the rat hippocampus during development were studied. Iron and zinc levels significantly increased in adult rats compared to newborns, with zinc showing a notable rise early in development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Elemental Analysis
Background:
- The hippocampal formation is crucial for learning and memory.
- Understanding elemental changes during postnatal development is vital for comprehending brain maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate elemental alterations in the rat hippocampal formation during postnatal development.
- To quantify and map the distribution of elements in specific hippocampal subregions.
Main Methods:
- X-ray fluorescence microscopy was employed for topographic and quantitative elemental analysis.
- Wistar rats at 6, 30, and 60 days old were analyzed.
- Elemental analysis focused on the CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus (DG), and hilus of DG (H) regions.
Main Results:
- Significant postnatal increases in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) levels were observed in the rat hippocampus.
- Fe levels increased in all examined hippocampal areas.
- Zn levels significantly rose in CA3, DG, and H, particularly between days 6 and 30.
Conclusions:
- Postnatal development leads to significant changes in Fe and Zn concentrations within the rat hippocampus.
- These elemental shifts may play a role in the maturation of hippocampal function.
Related Concept Videos
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
26.5K
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
26.5K
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
4.0K
4.0K
01:27Elements and Compounds
105.1K
Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond.
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
105.1K
02:54Classification of Elements and Compounds
73.3K
Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond. Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units.
Compounds are pure substances composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. Compounds are classified as ionic or molecular (covalent) based on the bonds...
Compounds are pure substances composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. Compounds are classified as ionic or molecular (covalent) based on the bonds...
73.3K
02:31Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes
126.6K
A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...
126.6K
00:57The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
203.3K
Overview
203.3K