Can we understand human brain development from experimental studies in rodents?. Issue 10 (5th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luhmann, Heiko J.; Fukuda, Atsuo
• Is Part Of: Pediatrics international. Volume 62:Issue 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1139
• Page End: 1144
• Publication Date: 2020-10-05
• Subjects: animal model -- cerebral cortex -- neuronal activity -- review -- subplate; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/ped.14339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1328-8067

Abstract

Abstract: Animal models are needed to gain an understanding of the genetic, molecular, cellular, and network mechanisms of human brain development. In rodents, a large spectrum of in vitro and in vivo approaches allows detailed analyses and specific experimental manipulations for studying the sequence of developmental steps in corticogenesis. Neurogenesis, neuronal migration, cellular differentiation, programmed cell death, synaptogenesis, and myelination are surprisingly similar in the rodent cortex and the human cortex. Spontaneous EEG activity in the pre‐ and early postnatal human cortex resembles the activity patterns recorded with intracortical multi‐electrode arrays in newborn rodents. This early activity is generated by thalamic activation of a subplate‐driven local network coupled via gap junctions, which controls the development of cortical columns and the spatio‐temporal pattern of apoptosis. Disturbances of this activity may induce disturbances in cortical structure and function leading to neurological and psychiatric disorders.