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Updated: May 29, 2026
15:26
3D Modeling of the Lateral Ventricles and Histological Characterization of Periventricular Tissue in Humans and Mouse
Published on: May 19, 2015
Causes and consequences of expanded subventricular zones.
Christine J Charvet1, Georg F Striedter
1Department of Psychology, Cornell University, 229 Uris Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA. charvetcj@gmail.com
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|September 21, 2011
Summary
A single developmental timing change may explain brain expansion in primates and birds. This delay in neurogenesis and maturation promotes learning and complex behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Primates exhibit an expanded isocortex, while parrots and songbirds show an expanded telencephalon compared to other birds.
- Previous research indicates that delayed neurogenesis, subventricular zone (SVZ) expansion, and delayed maturation contribute to this brain expansion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how uniform lengthening of developmental schedules can lead to delayed neurogenesis, SVZ expansion, and delayed maturation.
- To propose a unifying developmental mechanism for brain expansion in distantly related species.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neurogenesis and brain development in primates, parrots, and songbirds.
- Theoretical modeling of developmental timing changes and their impact on cell proliferation and maturation.
Main Results:
- Uniformly lengthening developmental schedules can cause delays in neurogenesis and neuronal maturation.
- Delays in neurogenesis may lead to the expansion of the subventricular zone (SVZ) as ventricular zone (VZ) cells proliferate rapidly.
- Prolonged proliferation and delayed maturation are linked to enhanced learning from conspecifics.
Conclusions:
- A single heterochronic change in developmental timing could orchestrate brain expansion in diverse lineages.
- This developmental mechanism has significant implications for adult behavior and cognitive abilities, particularly social learning.
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