Development of associational fiber tracts in fetal human brain: a cadaveric laboratory investigation.
Brain Struct Funct
; 228(8): 2007-2015, 2023 Nov.
Article
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| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37658857
ABSTRACT
The advent of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in addition to cadaveric brain dissection allowed a comprehensive description of an adult human brain. Nonetheless, the knowledge of the development of the internal architecture of the brain is mostly incomplete. Our study aimed to provide a description of the anatomical variations of the major associational bundles, among fetal and early post-natal periods. Seventeen formalin-fixed fetal human brains were enrolled for sulci analysis, and 13 specimens were dissected under the operating microscope, using Klingler's technique. Although fronto-temporal connections could be observed in all stages of development, a distinction between the uncinate fascicle, and the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle was clear starting from the early preterm period (25-35 post-conceptional week). Similarly, we were consistently able to isolate the periatrial white matter that forms the sagittal stratum (SS), with no clear distinction among SS layers. Arcuate fascicle and superior longitudinal fascicle were isolated only at the late stage of development without a reliable description of their entire course. The results of our study demonstrated that, although white matter is mostly unmyelinated among fetal human brains, cadaveric dissection can be performed with consistent results. Furthermore, the stepwise development of the associational fiber tracts strengthens the hypothesis that anatomy and function run in parallel, and higher is the cognitive functions subserved by an anatomical structure, later the development of the fascicle. Further histological-anatomical-DWI investigations are required to appraise and explore this topic.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Sustancia Blanca
/
Tejido Nervioso
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
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Humans
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Newborn
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Brain Struct Funct
Asunto de la revista:
CEREBRO
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia