Related Experiment Videos
Development of GAP-43 mRNA in the macaque cerebral cortex
1Neuroscience Section, Electrotechnical Laboratory, Ibaraki, Japan. toishi@etl.go.jp
Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Axonal growth in macaque cerebral cortex is most active in fetal development, decreasing by postnatal day 70. Association areas show more intensive growth than primary sensory areas.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Axonal growth is crucial for establishing neural circuits.
- Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) is a key marker for axonal growth and regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify axonal growth in different macaque cerebral cortex regions during development.
- To compare GAP-43 mRNA levels in primary sensory versus association areas.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of GAP-43 mRNA levels in specific cortical areas (prefrontal, temporal, somatosensory, visual) of macaque monkeys.
- Analysis across developmental stages, from embryonic day 120 (E120) to the adult stage, and postnatal period.
Main Results:
- GAP-43 mRNA levels peaked at E120 and declined exponentially, reaching a plateau by postnatal day 70 (P70).
- Association areas (prefrontal, temporal, parietal) exhibited higher GAP-43 mRNA than primary sensory areas (somatosensory, visual) throughout development and adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral cortex axonal growth is most vigorous in the intermediate fetal period and largely concludes by P70.
- Axonal development is more pronounced in association cortices compared to primary sensory cortices post-mid-fetal development.