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Fetal development of the human amygdala
Damir Mulc1,2, Dinko Smilović1, Željka Krsnik1
1Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|January 30, 2024
Summary
Human amygdala development involves complex cellular processes and molecular changes. This study maps key prenatal maturation events, crucial for understanding brain function and psychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- The human amygdala's development is intricate, involving transient structures and distinct nuclear formation.
- Understanding prenatal amygdala maturation is vital for its role in behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively map the cytoarchitectural development and molecular maturation of the human amygdala during the fetal period.
- To correlate developmental events with specific molecular markers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 39 fetal human brains using antibody reactivity for neuronal, glial, synaptic, and myelin components.
- Immunohistochemical staining for markers like SMI 312, doublecortin, SOX-2, and vimentin.
Main Results:
- Early fetal period shows uniform histogenesis; midfetal period exhibits cell migration and axonal growth.
- Synaptic markers appear first in corticomedial nuclei; neurofilament SMI 312 is dorsal.
- Late fetal period shows protracted migration (doublecortin, SOX-2) and radial glial presence (vimentin); perinatal myelination (SMI 99) begins.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the rate and sequence of human amygdala maturation during prenatal development.
- These findings provide a foundation for understanding normal function and the origins of psychiatric disorders.
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