Human neocortical molecular layer heterotopia consist of aggregations of hundreds of neurons and glia in the molecular layer (layer I) and are indicative of neuronal migration defect. Despite having been associated with dyslexia, epilepsy, cobblestone lissencephaly, polymicrogyria, and Fukuyama muscular dystrophy, a complete understanding of the cellular and axonal constituents of molecular layer heterotopia is lacking. Using a mouse model, we identify diverse excitatory and inhibitory neurons as well as glia in heterotopia based on molecular profiles. Using immunocytochemistry, we identify diverse afferents in heterotopia from subcortical neuromodulatory centers. Finally, we document intracortical projections to/from heterotopia. These data are relevant toward understanding how heterotopia affect brain function in diverse neurodevelopmental disorders.
Molecular layer heterotopia of the cerebellar primary fissure are a characteristic of many rat strains and are hypothesized to result from defect of granule cells exiting the external granule cell layer during cerebellar development. However, the cellular and axonal constituents of these malformations remain poorly understood. In the present report, we use histochemistry and immunocytochemistry to identify neuronal, glial, and axonal classes in molecular layer heterotopia. In particular, we identify parvalbumin-expressing molecular layer interneurons in heterotopia as well as three glial cell types including Bergmann glia, Olig2-expressing oligodendrocytes, and Iba1-expressing microglia. In addition, we document the presence of myelinated, serotonergic, catecholaminergic, and cholinergic axons in heterotopia indicating possible spinal and brainstem afferent projections to heterotopic cells. These findings are relevant toward understanding the mechanisms of normal and abnormal cerebellar development.
Phthalate exposure has recently been associated with behavioral actions that are linked to its endocrine-disrupting properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular, anatomical, and behavioral effects of indirect perinatal benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) exposure in offspring of BBP-treated pregnant dams. In two separate experiments, we administered BBP (10.0 μg/ml) on food pellets to pregnant dams and examined the offspring. The first experiment revealed reproductive anatomical abnormalities linked to BBP's endocrine-disrupting properties, whereas histological analysis revealed preserved hippocampal neuronal migration. The second experiment demonstrated learning and memory impairments accompanied by molecular abnormalities in multiple brain regions. Offspring from BBP-treated dams had altered levels of several proteins important for neuronal circuitry formation, tissue development, and maturation. We suggest that BBP administration disrupts normal learning and that these effects could be related to alterations in brain development and result in a phenotype similar to that observed in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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