Brain Morphology and Gene Expression

In the mouse brain, researchers identify patterns of expressed genes that are specific to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.

That brain morphology may be related to regional clusters of gene expression seems intuitively correct. To test this hypothesis, investigators used statistical clustering techniques to examine gene expression patterns in adult mouse brains.

Using the Allen Brain Atlas, which includes data on gene expression by anatomic location, researchers looked for clusters of genetic expression (i.e., genes enriched by >10× in a specific area). The Atlas included data on 170 enriched genes with transcripts in neurons, 50 in astrocytes, and 44 in oligodendrocytes in the coronal plane; in the sagittal plane, there were 250 neuron-specific, 154 astrocyte-specific, and 101 oligodendrocyte-specific enriched genes.

On coronal sections, patterns of gene clusteri…

Reviewing Author

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose