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Postnatal development of the human lateral geniculate nucleus: relationship to a critical period for the visual
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 25, 1977
Insights
Human dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) cells grow rapidly in the first year after birth. Parvocellular layer cells mature faster than magnocellular layer cells, reaching adult size by age two.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental biology
- Human anatomy
Background:
- The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) is a key visual relay center in the human brain.
- Understanding the developmental trajectory of dLGN cells is crucial for comprehending visual system maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the growth and maturation of dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus cells across a wide age range.
- To compare the developmental rates between parvocellular and magnocellular layers of the dLGN.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 31,800 dLGN cells from 53 human brains.
- Measurement of cell cross-sectional areas.
- Age range: newborn to 40 years.
Main Results:
- Significant, rapid increase in dLGN cell size during the first 6-12 months of postnatal life.
- Parvocellular layer cells exhibit faster growth rates compared to magnocellular layer cells.
- Full adult cell size is attained by approximately 2 years of age.
Conclusions:
- The human dLGN undergoes substantial cellular growth in early infancy.
- Differential maturation rates exist between dLGN layers, suggesting distinct developmental timelines.
- The dLGN reaches its adult cellular dimensions within the first two years of life.
Abstract:
The cross-sectional areas of 31,800 dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus cells were measured in 53 human brains ranging in age from newborn to 40 years. Geniculate cells increase in size rapidly during the first 6 to 12 months of postnatal life, with cells in the parvocellular layers developing faster than cells in the magnocellular layers. At least 2 years are required before all cells have reached their adult size.