Evolutionary scaling and cognitive correlates of primate frontal cortex microstructure.
Cheryl D Stimpson1,2,3, Jeroen B Smaers4, Mary Ann Raghanti5
1Department of Anthropology and Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Brain Structure & Function
|October 27, 2023
Summary
Primate frontal cortex evolution shows varied microstructural changes. Neuropil fraction, linked to brain size and self-control, evolves slower than other components like neuron and axon distributions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Biology
- Primatology
Background:
- Understanding primate cognitive evolution requires examining frontal cortex microstructural changes.
- Neuron and axon distribution modifications are key to phylogenetic variation in cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize microstructural components of the primate frontal cortex across 14 species.
- To investigate evolutionary rates of microstructural variables and their relation to brain size and self-control.
Main Methods:
- Examined dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and primary motor cortex.
- Measured neuropil fraction and used immunohistochemistry for interneurons, projection neurons, and neurotransmitter innervation (serotonergic, dopaminergic).
Main Results:
- Evolutionary rates were similar across most microstructural variables.
- Neuropil fraction evolved slower, correlated strongly with brain size.
- Orbitofrontal cortex neuropil fraction in specific layers related to self-control performance.
Conclusions:
- Primate frontal cortex evolution involves differential rates of change in microstructural components.
- Neuropil fraction's slower evolution and link to brain size suggest its importance in scaling.
- Specific frontal cortex microstructures are associated with cognitive functions like self-control.
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