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Immature Neurons in the Temporal Cortex of the Aging Rhesus Monkey
Author(s) -
Heyworth Nadine,
Rosene Douglas L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.533.13
Subject(s) - neurogenesis , doublecortin , subgranular zone , subventricular zone , neuroscience , dentate gyrus , hippocampal formation , biology , cortex (anatomy) , population , hippocampus , neural stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , medicine , environmental health
Adult neurogenesis is known to occur in specific regions of the brain including the Subgranular Zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and the Subventricular Zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle. The new neurons originating in these regions have shown to be necessary for specific cognitive functions. However, it remains unknown if adult‐generated neurons exist in other regions of the brain and contribute to cognitive processes. A novel population of cells expressing the immature neuronal marker, Doublecortin (DCX) has been identified in regions previously termed ‘non‐neurogenic’ including the cortex of cats, guinea pig, non‐human primate, and human. DCX+ cells co‐localize with the proliferative marker Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in the cortex, but only at very low levels, suggesting cortical DCX+ cells with an extended maturation period. Preliminary work in our lab has identified DCX+ cells in the temporal cortex of rhesus monkeys. Tissue from behaviorally characterized young and old monkeys given BrdU for 21 days is being analyzed to quantify DCX+ cells in the cortex and the proportion that co‐localize with BrdU. Our objective is to use Stereologic analysis to quantify age‐related changes and the impact on cognitive function. The characterization of this unique population of cells is necessary to further investigate their role in cortical plasticity and aging. (Supported by R01AG021133 and P01AG1)