Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
07:14
A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains
Published on: January 16, 2026
Aging of the cerebral cortex differs between humans and chimpanzees
Chet C Sherwood1, Adam D Gordon, John S Allen
1Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA. sherwood@gwu.edu
Summary
Human brain aging involves significant volume loss in structures like the hippocampus, unlike chimpanzees. This shrinkage appears to be an evolutionarily novel trait linked to humans
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Comparative Anatomy
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Normal human brain aging is characterized by biological changes, including volumetric decline in specific regions like the hippocampus and frontal lobe.
- While some age-associated neural alterations are conserved across species, significant regional brain volume loss has primarily been documented in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in brain structure volumes in chimpanzees.
- To compare brain aging patterns between chimpanzees and humans to understand evolutionary divergence.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to measure brain structure volumes in 99 chimpanzees (10-51 years) and 87 humans (22-88 years).
- Key structures measured included the whole brain, neocortical gray and white matter, frontal lobe gray and white matter, and the hippocampus.
Main Results:
- Chimpanzees exhibited no significant age-related changes in the measured brain structures.
- Humans showed a decrease in the volume of all measured brain structures over their lifespan.
- Analysis revealed that significant aging effects in humans were influenced by individuals exceeding the maximum lifespan of chimpanzees.
Conclusions:
- The pronounced brain structure shrinkage observed in human aging is an evolutionarily novel phenomenon.
- This increased magnitude of brain volume loss in humans is likely a consequence of their extended lifespan compared to chimpanzees.
Related Concept Videos
02:31Synteny and Evolution
John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:05Cerebral Hemispheres
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
01:26Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I
The main and largest component of the human brain is the cerebrum. The cerebrum consists of two main parts: the cerebral cortex, an outer layer with wrinkles or folds known as gyri and shallow grooves called sulci, and a deeper region beneath it. The cerebrum divides into two distinct hemispheres and contains five different lobes: the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, and insula. The central sulcus separates the frontal and parietal lobes and two functionally important gyri — the...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are themselves.