A QUANTITATIVE STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MONKEY SUBTHALAMIC NUCLEUS (BASAL GANGLIA).
Item
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Title
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A QUANTITATIVE STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MONKEY SUBTHALAMIC NUCLEUS (BASAL GANGLIA).
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Identifier
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AAI8601638
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identifier
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8601638
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Creator
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FISHER, JEAN ELIZABETH CLARKE.
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Contributor
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Pedro Pasik
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Date
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1985
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Physiological
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Abstract
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The first four postnatal months encompass significant changes in the motor behavior of the macaque. The purpose of this study is to provide normative data on the development of the monkey subthalamic nucleus during this period. This structure is in a position to modulate the outflow of the basal ganglia which in turn exert a powerful influence on movement control. In addition, this work addresses the controversy regarding the number and distribution of subthalamic cell types.;Total volumes of subthalamic nuclei were found not to change significantly. Mean cross-sectional area of neuronal somata decreased by 33% during the period of study. Cluster analysis indicated the existence of two cells populations differing in size and location allowing the subdivision of the nucleus into a magnocellular and a parvocellular segment.;The proportion of the subthalamic nucleus occupied by neuropil decreased by 25% from birth to 17 weeks. Lengths of synaptic profiles were reconstructed by computer-assisted stereologic analysis to produce the distribution of synaptic plaque sizes. These data were used to determine partial densities, total density and the estimated total number of synapses of each age. A significant decrease in synapses occurred for both mature and immature contacts. This synapse elimination process was particularly marked after the first month.;Results indicate that there are substantial changes in the subthalamic nucleus during the first four postnatal months. An important feature is the marked reduction of synapses. In addition, there are significant differences in size and location of two populations of cells which are found at all postnatal ages studied. This finding correlates well with known topologic differences in the extrinsic connections of the structure. It is posited that the morphological reorganization of the subthalamic nucleus during the first four months of postnatal life contributes to the maturation of movement in the macaque.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
