Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

42.8K
Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the...
42.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Regulation of NAT1 activity in modern humans by a novel phosphorylation site.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Cerebral organoids expressing mutant actin genes reveal cellular mechanism underlying microcephaly.

EMBO reports·2025
Same author

ARHGAP11A maintains cortical progenitor identity through RHOA-ROCK signaling during human brain development.

Cell reports·2025
Same author

Role of transketolase-like1 in human cortical neurogenesis.

Methods in enzymology·2025
Same author

Neocortex Folding in Primates up to Human: Evolution and Mechanisms.

Developmental neuroscience·2025
Same author

A dyad of human-specific <i>NBPF14</i> and <i>NOTCH2NLB</i> orchestrates cortical progenitor abundance crucial for human neocortex expansion.

Science advances·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Electroporation of Sliced Human Cortical Organoids for Studies of Gene Function
07:13

Electroporation of Sliced Human Cortical Organoids for Studies of Gene Function

Published on: November 29, 2024

1.3K

What Are the Human-Specific Aspects of Neocortex Development?

Felipe Mora-Bermúdez1, Wieland B Huttner1

  • 1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.

Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 2, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Investigating human neocortical stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) reveals potentially human-specific aspects. Understanding these differences in NSPC development is key to unlocking the evolution of higher cognitive abilities.

Keywords:
Neandertalschimpanzeeshuman-specificneocortexneuroepithelial cellsneurogenesisradial gliastem cells

More Related Videos

Generation of Standardized and Reproducible Forebrain-type Cerebral Organoids from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
10:25

Generation of Standardized and Reproducible Forebrain-type Cerebral Organoids from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: January 23, 2018

21.6K
2D and 3D Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models to Dissect Primary Cilium Involvement during Neocortical Development
14:19

2D and 3D Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models to Dissect Primary Cilium Involvement during Neocortical Development

Published on: March 25, 2022

4.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Electroporation of Sliced Human Cortical Organoids for Studies of Gene Function
07:13

Electroporation of Sliced Human Cortical Organoids for Studies of Gene Function

Published on: November 29, 2024

1.3K
Generation of Standardized and Reproducible Forebrain-type Cerebral Organoids from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
10:25

Generation of Standardized and Reproducible Forebrain-type Cerebral Organoids from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: January 23, 2018

21.6K
2D and 3D Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models to Dissect Primary Cilium Involvement during Neocortical Development
14:19

2D and 3D Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models to Dissect Primary Cilium Involvement during Neocortical Development

Published on: March 25, 2022

4.1K

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Human Evolution
  • Cognitive Biology

Background:

  • The neocortex, responsible for higher cognitive functions, is crucial for understanding human uniqueness.
  • Neocortical stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) are vital for neocortical development and tissue fate determination.
  • The precise mechanisms and potential human-specific features of NSPCs remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore five key questions regarding potentially human-specific aspects of NSPCs.
  • To investigate the evolutionary trajectory of NSPC function, including comparisons with Neandertals.
  • To stimulate research into the cellular and molecular underpinnings of human cortical development.

Main Methods:

  • This Perspective article synthesizes current knowledge and proposes future research directions.
  • It frames inquiry around five central questions concerning NSPC subtypes, temporal dynamics, gene interactions, metabolic pathways, and evolutionary changes.
  • Suggests experimental approaches to address these fundamental questions in human cortical development.

Main Results:

  • The article does not present new experimental results but rather outlines critical knowledge gaps.
  • It highlights the importance of investigating human-specific NSPC subtypes and their functional significance.
  • It emphasizes the need to explore evolutionary modifications in genes and metabolic pathways affecting NSPCs.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing these questions is essential for a comprehensive understanding of human brain evolution and cognitive abilities.
  • Further research into human-specific NSPC biology can illuminate the origins of unique human cognitive traits.
  • Comparative studies, including those involving archaic humans, are crucial for deciphering NSPC evolution.