Areal and laminar distribution of gangliosides in the fetal human neopallium at 28 weeks of gestation.

Correlative histological, histochemical and biochemical investigations on laminar compartments from four different areas of fetal human neopallium at 28 weeks of gestation revealed discrete distribution of gangliosides in the cerebral wall. Highest level of total ganglioside concentration was found in the layers of cortical anlage (cortical plate and "subplate layer") which are concomittantly characterized by highest activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and which are known to be involved in intensive synaptogenesis at this stage of cortical development. In three of four areas the proportion of GD1a - ganglioside from total ganglioside amount tended to increase and that of GT1b to decrease from inside (ventricle) to outside (cortical anlage) throughout the cerebral wall.