A computational model of radial scaffolds in the human fetal brain based on MRI

The organization of the human cerebral cortex during fetal development is regulated by multiple processes, including neurogenesis and neuronal migration, which are essential for cortical expansion and folding patterns. According to the radial unit hypothesis, neurons originate in the germinal zone and migrate radially along the radial glial scaffolds to reach the cortical plate. However, the spatial distributions of these scaffolds and their roles in cortical folding remain unclear. Consequently, a computational model was developed to simulate virtual scaffolds extending from the cerebral ventricular surface to the white matter, incorporating region-specific neurogenic potential. The results demonstrate dense scaffold distribution in the perisylvian region, where complex cortical folding emerges, suggesting that differences in scaffold distribution contribute to region-specific cortical expansion. Notably, increased neuron influx along the scaffolds in the perisylvian region may contribute to early volumetric growth, potentially influencing Sylvian fissure formation. These findings align with previous reports that demonstrate distinct developmental patterns in this region. Being an accurate representation of radial migration pathways, this model provides a framework for integrating tangential migration of inhibitory neurons, refining scaffold distribution estimates, and quantifying early cortical development, offering insights into neurogenetic regional variations, scaffold architecture, and cortical folding in the human fetal brain.