Sulcal and gyral distribution of cortical white matter neurons in macaque monkey

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare white matter neuron density across 3 regions, prefrontal, temporal, and posterior parietal (PFC, TE, PP) in macaque monkey, with further analysis of subdivisions within the gyral white matter. METHODS: Histological tissue from three adult macaque monkeys, previously prepared with the neuron-specific pan-neuronal marker Neuronal-N, was used for analysis. Tissue was digitized and processed electronically to investigate cross- and intra-regional differences in the distribution of white matter neurons. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed significant differences across all regions sampled and across most intra-regional subdivisions, although the more conservative post-hoc tests failed to find significant differences between specific regions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study support regional differences. Further studies using a larger sample size may help elucidate the relatively unknown properties of white matter neurons.