The ganglionic eminence: A transient structure of obstetric relevance in the prenatal brain

Intracranial hemorrhage is a frequent complication in preterm infants and often results in impaired cognitive function. Such bleeding often occurs within the ganglionic eminences. These are prominent bilateral structures in the wall of the lateral ventricles of the fetal brain. They persist nearly throughout the entire period of gestation. Until recently the ganglionic eminences were thought to produce neurons and glial cells for subcortical brain regions. But there is increasing evidence that the ganglionic eminences are of central importance for other ontogenetic processes. They generate interneurons For the cerebral cortex and have a high potential to produce oligodendrocytes. Also, the ganglionic eminences are morphologically connected with the amygdala and the thalamus and generate neurons for these brain regions until the third trimester. The ganglionic eminences are also involved in the migration of neurons. They are essential for the establishment of mature neuronal connections by acting as an intermediate target, particularly between the cortical regions and the thalamus. This article details the various developmental functions of the ganglionic eminences in order to enable clinicians to estimate the effects of intracranial bleeding on ontogenetic processes in the neonatal brain.