Yafeng Zhan1,2  · Cirong Liu1,2

1 Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, International Center for Primate Brain Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China 

2 Shanghai Key Laboratory of Child Brain and Development, Shanghai 200031, China

Abstract

The cellular organization of the human brain fundamentally shapes its structure, function, and vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. However, the specific cellular contributions to laminar architecture and disease susceptibility remain elusive. Here, we estimated the distribution of molecularly defined cell types across cortical regions by integrating human single-nucleus RNA sequencing data with the Allen Human Brain Atlas microarray data. The cellular distribution profiles delineated three major cortical classes: sensory/motor, anterior association, and posterior association, each characterized by distinct cell-type enrichments. The dominant neuronal subtypes within each class exhibited specific laminar preferences that matched the variations in laminar thickness, as quantified using the BigBrain 3D histological atlas. Specifically, granular layer excitatory and parvalbumin-positive interneurons dominated sensory regions, while supragranular and infragranular neuronal subtypes enriched association cortices. Finally, by linking cell-type distributions to cortical shrinkage patterns in autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, we identified cell-type-specific contributions to each disorder through predictive modeling. These findings illuminate the crucial role of cellular organization in shaping cortical structure and function, providing new insights into the cellular underpinnings of psychiatric disorders.

Keywords

Cell-type distribution; Laminar thickness; Neuroimaging; Disease vulnerability

[SpringerLink]