An Atlas of the Developing Human Brain

NIH | APRIL 24, 2014

Scientists released the first comprehensive 3-D atlas of gene expression in the developing human brain. The resource will help reveal the early roots of brain-based disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

Principal fissures and lobes of the cerebrum viewed laterally. Vectorized by Mysid/Wikimedia Commons, based on the online edition of Gray's Anatomy.

Animal studies have provided insights in the basic mechanisms of brain function. But the human brain has many unique qualities. One key area, for example, is the neocortex, the outermost brain region involved in higher functions such as action and thought.

The neocortex is smooth in rodents; in humans and non-human primates, it’s elaborately folded. Specific regions of the neocortex are also known to differ greatly between humans and nonhuman primates.

The structure and function of the human brain is guided by gene expression patterns during prenatal development. Many psychiatric disorders show altered gene activity in the cortex, suggesting harmful changes during development of this region. However, our understanding of the transcriptome—when and where genes are turned on—in the developing brain has been limited.

Led by Dr. Ed Lein at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, researchers studied 4 donated, intact human prenatal brains—2 from 15–16 weeks and 2 from 21 weeks post-conception. This project aims to profile gene expression throughout the course of brain development.

The scientists gathered data using a variety of genomic and imaging techniques. Regional patterns of gene expression were analyzed in thin cryosections using in situ hybridization. Custom microarrays revealed gene expression levels in laser-microdissected brain regions. Ultra-high resolution MRI and diffusion tensor imaging provided structural information about the brains.

The scientists combined the gene activity data with the neuroimaging data and anatomical reference atlases.

The results provide a powerful map to pin brain areas to genes tied to neurodevelopmental disorders and human-specific brain functions. Among the results, the researchers identified transcription patterns reflecting differences in cortical development between humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents.

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