Prenatal Human Brain Development

Abstract

The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its isozyme composition were analyzed in 41 unaffected human fetal brains of 18–42 weeks of gestation. Regional differences either in the levels of activity or in the patterns of development were observed. Throughout the 24-week period, the highest LDH activity was found in the spinal cord and the brain stem. Activity rises with age in all regions and, as compared to other developing structures, the cerebellum accounts for the most marked activity change. The LDH isozyme pattern does not show significant regional differences and, in any particular area, isozyme distribution does not change with developing age.