Abnormal neuronal development in the visual cortex of the human fetus and infant with down's syndrome. A quantitative and qualitative golgi study
Abstract
The developmental morphology of visual cortical neurons (their numbers, dendritic arborization and numbers of spines) in 14 fetuses and infants with Down's syndrome were studied and compared with that of neurologically normal, age-matched controls. Fetuses with Trisomy 21 showed the same neuronal morphology and spine counts as control fetuses. However, the newborns and older infants with Down's syndrome showed shorter basilar dendrites and decreased numbers of spines with altered morphology and defective cortical layering.
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Alterations of neuronal maturation are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
“alterations of neuronal maturation are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders”
From Xenotransplanted human cortical neurons reveal species-specific development and functional integration into mouse visual circuits (2019) · cites this paper as Takashima et al., 1981
These differences are present across the cortical laminae.
“These differences are present across the cortical laminae115–118.”
From Consequences of trisomy 21 for brain development in Down syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [117]
Neurons from both the motor and visual cortices of infants with Down syndrome as young as 2 months of age have fewer dendritic spines.
“Specifically, neurons from both the motor and visual cortices of infants with DS as young as 2 months of age have fewer dendritic spines117,118.”
From Consequences of trisomy 21 for brain development in Down syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [117]
The earliest reports using Golgi staining of human brain tissue provided consistent evidence that newborns and infants with Down syndrome have substantial deficits in spine density and abnormal spine morphology.
“The earliest reports using Golgi staining of human brain tissue provided consistent evidence that newborns and infants with DS have substantial deficits in spine density and abnormal spine morphology115–118.”
From Consequences of trisomy 21 for brain development in Down syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [117]
The spines that are present in Down syndrome exhibit morphological anomalies, such as abnormally small and exceptionally long, thin spines.
“Moreover, the spines that are present exhibit morphological anomalies, such as abnormally small and exceptionally long, thin spines115–118 (Fig. 3a).”
From Consequences of trisomy 21 for brain development in Down syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [117]
DS fetal and infant brains show the same neuronal morphology and spine counts as control fetuses.
“This Golgi analysis of DS fetal and infant brains shows the same neuronal morphology and spine counts as those of control fetuses”
From Consequences of trisomy 21 for brain development in Down syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [117]
DS brains have shorter basilar dendrites and decreased numbers of spines with altered morphology and defective cortical layering.
“however, DS brains had shorter basilar dendrites and decreased numbers of spines with altered morphology and defective cortical layering”
From Consequences of trisomy 21 for brain development in Down syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [117]
Fetuses (14-40 weeks gestation) with Down syndrome had similar dendritic spine counts compared to controls.
“another study showed that fetuses (14–40 weeks gestation) with DS had similar dendritic spine counts compared to controls.”
From Neurodevelopment in Down syndrome: Concordance in humans and models (2022) · cites this paper as Takashima et al., 1981
Postnatally, infants (0-12 months) with Down syndrome presented with shorter dendrites and a decreased number of spines in the visual cortex.
“However, postnatally, infants (0–12 months) presented with shorter dendrites and a decreased number of spines in the visual cortex (Takashima et al., 1981).”
From Neurodevelopment in Down syndrome: Concordance in humans and models (2022) · cites this paper as Takashima et al., 1981
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“However, postnatally, infants (0–12 months) presented with shorter dendrites and a decreased number of spines in the visual cortex (Takashima et al., 1981).”
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“Specifically, neurons from both the motor and visual cortices of infants with DS as young as 2 months of age have fewer dendritic spines 117,118 .”
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- Authors
- Takashima, S., Becker, L. E., Armstrong, D. L., & Chan, F.
- Affiliations
- Hospital for Sick Children (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Becker, Laurence E.
- Venue
- Brain Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1981-11
- Volume
- 225
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-21
- ISSN
- 0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1983154949
- Cited by
- 307
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 9.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brain Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Keywords
- Down syndrome, visual cortex, neuronal development, dendritic branching, dendritic spines, cortical lamination, fetal brain, infant brain, Golgi staining
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Cell Count, Child, Child, Preschool, Dendrites, Down Syndrome, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Neurons, Pregnancy, Visual Cortex
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