The Neonatal Gyrencephalic Cortex Maintains Regionally Distinct Streams of Neuroblasts

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental mechanisms have evolved to support the formation of diverse brain structures, such as in humans, during the perinatal period. Here, we demonstrate that neonatal gyrencephalic brains harbor an expanded subventricular zone, termed the Arc, defined by tiered arrangement of doublecortin (DCX)-expressing neuroblasts and vascular enrichment at the ventricular wall. The Arc is the origin of dorsal and ventral populations of migratory neuroblasts that target multiple regions involved in higher cognitive functions. Arc-derived migratory streams, primarily from the caudal ganglionic eminence, are composed of diverse neuronal subtypes with distinct spatial and migratory-receptor profiles. Our findings indicate the Arc is a structure present in phylogenetically divergent species that supports the expansion of postnatal neuronal migration, contributing to a protracted formation of cortical circuits in gyrencephalic brains. One-Sentence SummaryThe ventricular cytoarchitecture of gyrencephalic brains supports an ongoing supply of migratory neurons to the neonatal cortex.