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Related Experiment Videos

Synaptogenesis in human visual cortex--evidence for synapse elimination during normal development

P R Huttenlocher, C de Courten, L J Garey

    Neuroscience Letters
    |December 13, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Neuroscience letters·2009

    Human brain development involves rapid synapse production until 8 months, followed by synapse elimination until age 3. Early childhood

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Developmental biology
    • Human anatomy

    Background:

    • Synaptic density undergoes significant changes during human brain development.
    • Understanding these changes is crucial for comprehending neural plasticity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate age-related alterations in synaptic density within the human visual cortex (striate cortex).
    • To correlate synaptic density changes with the volume of the striate cortex.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized electron microscopy with the phosphotungstic acid staining method for synaptic counts.
    • Measured striate cortex volume using celloidin-embedded sections.

    Main Results:

    • Identified a period of rapid synapse production ending around 8 months postnatally.

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  • Observed a subsequent, prolonged phase of synapse elimination extending beyond 3 years of age.

    • Conclusions:

    • Early childhood features exuberant synaptic connections, potentially conferring plasticity to the immature brain.
    • This plasticity is diminished in the adult brain, suggesting a critical developmental window.