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Human fetal hippocampal development: I. Cytoarchitecture, myeloarchitecture, and neuronal morphologic features
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA. arnold@bbl.psycha.upenn.edu
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|April 1, 1996
Summary
This study details the human hippocampus
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- The human hippocampus is crucial for memory and cognition.
- Understanding its developmental trajectory is key to identifying neurodevelopmental disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the anatomical development of the human hippocampus.
- To examine cytoarchitecture, myeloarchitecture, and neuronal morphology from fetal to adult stages.
Main Methods:
- Studied 20 human hippocampal specimens (9 weeks gestation to 62 years).
- Utilized cresyl violet staining for Nissl substance and myelin basic protein immunolabeling.
- Analyzed sections for structural and maturational changes.
Main Results:
- Identified distinct hippocampal layers by 9 weeks gestation.
- Observed distal-to-proximal and inside-out maturation gradients within subfields.
- Noted the dentate gyrus as the last subfield to mature (after 34 weeks).
- Myelination begins near term and increases through adolescence.
- Postnatal development shows neuronal enlargement and decreased density.
Conclusions:
- Established a timeline for human hippocampal cytoarchitectural and myeloarchitectural development.
- Provides a baseline for understanding hippocampal neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.