Early development of the human thalamus: Golgi and Nissl study

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Qualitative and quantitative parameters of the early neuronal development of the thalamus were examined in human embryos and fetuses ranging in age from 5–16 gestational weeks (g.w.) using Nissl stained and Golgi impregnated tissue. In the earliest period analyzed, from 5–6 weeks of gestation, dorsal and ventral parts of the human thalamus were poorly differentiated structures forming the sides of the third ventricle. At 6 g.w., the prospective thalamic anlage consisted of the ventricular (VZ), the intermediate (IZ) and the marginal zones (MZ). The neurons in the VZ were bipolar and radially arranged to the ventricular surface. From 6–8 gestational weeks detached bipolar or branched bipolar cells with horizontal or oblique orientation were encountered in the IZ and occasionally in the MZ. In the period between 10–14 weeks of gestation, segregation of neurons into different thalamic nuclei began. The lateral geniculate nucleus, centrum medianum and mediodorsal nucleus were the first to be distinguished. In comparison with the previous period, the neurons throughout the rostro-caudal axis of the thalamus were more differentiated, with a higher number of primary dendrites that were often bifurcated. This resulted in various shapes of immature neurons: simple uni- and bipolar (type 1), branched uni- and bipolar (type 2) and young multipolar (type 3). In addition, the first spines were frequently observed on dendrites at 12 weeks of gestation. At 14–16 weeks of gestation, segregation of the neurons into thalamic nuclei continued. The neurons exhibited further dendritic differentiation that followed the caudo rostral gradient. For the first time, multipolar neurons, especially in the caudal part, could be subdivided into two classes: multipolar with a ‘bushy’ appearance, the result of many primary dendrites with several bifurcations and ‘simpler’ multipolar neurons with fewer and less branched primary dendrites. Neuronal differentiation was further expressed by an increase in the total dendritic length and somatic surface, up to six and three times, respectively, from the earliest period analyzed to 16 weeks of gestation. Dendritic length increased initially by the formation of new primary branches and their elongation and secondly by formation of higher branch orders. At 16 g.w., a group of immature cells were observed dorsally, on the frontal sections through the rostral thalamus. Its ganglionic eminence origin is discussed.