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A computational model for the loss of neuronal organization in microcolumns
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A computational model for the loss of neuronal organization in microcolumns

Maxwell Henderson, Brigita Urbanc and Luis Cruz
Biophysical journal, v 106(10), pp 2233-2242
20 May 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2014.04.012
PMID: 24853752
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2014.04.012View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Aging Neurons - cytology Macaca mulatta Animals Models, Neurological Computer Simulation
A population of neurons in the cerebral cortex of humans and other mammals organize themselves into vertical microcolumns perpendicular to the pial surface. Anatomical changes to these microcolumns have been correlated with neurological diseases and normal aging; in particular, in area 46 of the rhesus monkey brain, the strength of microcolumns was shown to decrease with age. These changes can be caused by alterations in the spatial distribution of the neurons in microcolumns and/or neuronal loss. Using a three-dimensional computational model of neuronal arrangements derived from thin tissue sections and validated in brain tissue from rhesus monkeys, we show that neuronal loss is inconsistent with the findings in aged individuals. In contrast, a model of simple random neuronal displacements, constrained in magnitude by restorative harmonic forces, is consistent with observed changes and provides mechanistic insights into the age-induced loss of microcolumnar structure. Connection of the model to normal aging and disease are discussed.

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