Spatiotemporal transcriptome atlas reveals the regional specification of the developing human brain. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38091994/)

These scientists wanted to learn more about how different parts of our brain develop. They studied the brains of human babies that were still growing inside their mothers' bellies.

To do this, the scientists used a special technique called spatial transcriptomics. This technique allowed them to look at the genes and molecules inside the brain cells and see how they were organized in different regions of the brain.

They looked at brains from babies that were between 6 and 23 weeks old. They found something interesting when the babies were about 8 weeks old. They discovered that a type of brain cell called radial glia (RG) cells were different in different parts of the brain. These RG cells were also found in specific places within the brain.

The scientists then looked at what happened next in the brain development. They found that the differences in the RG cells led to different types of neurons being formed. Neurons are the cells that help us think and feel.

In some parts of the brain, the RG cells gave rise to neurons that use a chemical called glutamate or another chemical called GABA. These neurons help us with things like learning and memory.

In another part of the brain, the RG cells were associated with the development of dopamine neurons. These neurons are important for things like movement and pleasure.

The scientists also discovered that some GABA neurons were shared between different parts of the brain. This means that these neurons are important in multiple regions of the brain.

Lastly, the scientists found that interactions between a type of brain cell called oligodendrocyte precursor cells and GABA neurons helped promote the development of neurons in specific regions of the brain.

Overall, this study gave the scientists a better understanding of how different parts of our brain develop and how certain brain cells help with this development.

Li Y., Li Z., Wang C., Yang M., He Z., Wang F., Zhang Y., Li R., Gong Y., Wang B., Fan B., Wang C., Chen L., Li H., Shi P., Wang N., Wei Z., Wang YL., Jin L., Du P., Dong J., Jiao J. Spatiotemporal transcriptome atlas reveals the regional specification of the developing human brain. Cell. 2023 Dec 21;186(26):5892-5909.e22. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.016. Epub 2023 Dec 12.