The Neocortex of Cetartiodactyls. II. Neuronal Morphology of the Visual and Motor Cortices in the Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Neocortex of Cetartiodactyls. II. Neuronal Morphology of the Visual and Motor Cortices in the Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis) Brain Struct Funct (2015) 220:2851–2872 DOI 10.1007/s00429-014-0830-9 ORIGINAL ARTICLE The neocortex of cetartiodactyls. II. Neuronal morphology of the visual and motor cortices in the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) Bob Jacobs • Tessa Harland • Deborah Kennedy • Matthew Schall • Bridget Wicinski • Camilla Butti • Patrick R. Hof • Chet C. Sherwood • Paul R. Manger Received: 11 May 2014 / Accepted: 21 June 2014 / Published online: 22 July 2014 Ó Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014 Abstract The present quantitative study extends our of aspiny neurons in giraffes appeared to be similar to investigation of cetartiodactyls by exploring the neuronal that of other eutherian mammals. For cross-species morphology in the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) neo- comparison of neuron morphology, giraffe pyramidal cortex. Here, we investigate giraffe primary visual and neurons were compared to those quantified with the same motor cortices from perfusion-fixed brains of three su- methodology in African elephants and some cetaceans badults stained with a modified rapid Golgi technique. (e.g., bottlenose dolphin, minke whale, humpback whale). Neurons (n = 244) were quantified on a computer-assis- Across species, the giraffe (and cetaceans) exhibited less ted microscopy system. Qualitatively, the giraffe neo- widely bifurcating apical dendrites compared to ele- cortex contained an array of complex spiny neurons that phants. Quantitative dendritic measures revealed that the included both ‘‘typical’’ pyramidal neuron morphology elephant and humpback whale had more extensive den- and ‘‘atypical’’ spiny neurons in terms of morphology drites than giraffes, whereas the minke whale and bot- and/or orientation. In general, the neocortex exhibited a tlenose dolphin had less extensive dendritic arbors. Spine vertical columnar organization of apical dendrites. measures were highest in the giraffe, perhaps due to the Although there was no significant quantitative difference high quality, perfusion fixation. The neuronal morphol- in dendritic complexity for pyramidal neurons between ogy in giraffe neocortex is thus generally consistent with primary visual (n = 78) and motor cortices (n = 65), what is known about other cetartiodactyls. there was a significant difference in dendritic spine density (motor cortex [ visual cortex). The morphology Keywords Dendrite Á Morphometry Á Dendritic spine Á Golgi method Á Brain evolution B. Jacobs (&) Á T. Harland Á D. Kennedy Á M. Schall Laboratory of Quantitative Neuromorphology, Psychology, Colorado College, 14 E. Cache La Poudre, Colorado Springs, Introduction CO 80903, USA e-mail: [email protected] In our companion paper on cetartiodactyls (Butti et al. 2014b), we documented the neuronal morphology of B. Wicinski Á C. Butti Á P. R. Hof Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain three cetacean species (bottlenose dolphin, minke whale, Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy and humpback whale). Here, we explore the neuronal Place, New York, NY 10029, USA morphology of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) for the first time. Although the long necked-giraffe’s status C. C. Sherwood Department of Anthropology, The George Washington as the tallest extant land mammal has resulted in exten- University, 2110 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA sive investigation of its vertebral column (Solounias 1999; Badlangana et al. 2009) and cardiovascular system P. R. Manger (Nilsson et al. 1988; Badeer 1997), few studies have School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, examined the giraffe brain beyond gross anatomy (Friant Johannesburg 2193, South Africa 1968). Recent investigations have begun to explore the 123 2852 Brain Struct Funct (2015) 220:2851–2872 implications of an elongated neck in the anatomy of (Hof et al. 1999; Sherwood et al. 2009). Given the brainstem nuclei (Badlangana et al. 2007a; Bux et al. close relationship between certain large artiodactyls 2010) and the corticospinal system (Badlangana et al. (e.g., Hippopotomidae) and cetaceans (Shimamura et al. 2007b); nevertheless, apart from some initial descriptions 1997;UrsingandArnason1998; Nikaido et al. 1999; of neurons in selected ungulates (Barasa 1960), the Price et al. 2005), we expect comparable neuromor- morphology of cortical neurons in the giraffe remains phological features across giraffes, the pygmy hippo- unknown. As part of an ongoing project documenting potamus, and cetaceans. Such a comparative neocortical neuromorphology in previously unexplored perspective provides a focal point of the current large brained mammals (Jacobs et al. 2011), the current investigation. study may further our understanding of which aspects of The giraffe, with a brain mass of between 400 and neuronal morphology are general to all vertebrates, and 700 g (Crile and Quiring 1940; Mitchell et al. 2008), has which are specific to particular species. To that end, the a relatively long gestation period and a relatively com- present investigation documents the neuronal morphology plex sociobehavioral environment (Pe´rez-Barberı´a and of the primary motor and visual cortices of the giraffe. Gordon 2005; Shultz and Dunbar 2006). They reside Within the superorder Laurasiatheria, giraffes belong within a fission–fusion, mostly matrilineal social structure to the clade Cetartiodactyla (order Artiodactyla; sub- characterized by considerable flexibility in herd size (Van order Ruminantia). Giraffidae emerged from Pecora in der Jeugd and Prins 2000; Bashaw et al. 2007; Bercov- the Oligocene period, with Giraffini diverging from itch and Berry 2013; Carter et al. 2012). Several types of their closest living relative, Okapini, approximately 19 social interaction have been documented: urine assess- million years ago (Hassanin and Douzery 2003). Extant ment to determine female reproductive status, mate laurasiatherian species (e.g., giraffe, cat, dog, horse, guarding of receptive females (Bercovitch et al. 2006), sheep, cow, seal, hippopotamus, dolphin, whale) exhibit and neck rubbing for social cohesion and bonding (Coe considerable diversity in terms of physiology, behavior, 1967; Tarou et al. 2000). Auditory and particularly visual brain mass, and encephalization quotient (Radinsky senses seem well developed (Innis 1958). The giraffe has 1981;Ferna´ndez and Vrba 2005; Boddy et al. 2012), a visual acuity of 25–27 cycles per degree, which is and thus may provide insight into the complexities and approximately half that of humans, but substantially evolutionary plasticity of mammalian neocortical evo- higher than that seen in most other Cetartiodactyls lution. In particular, comparison of evolutionary pat- (Coimbra et al. 2013). The extent to which giraffes terns and modern phylogenomic techniques underscore communicate vocally remains unclear, although it has a close relationship between cetaceans and artiodactyls, been suggested that they are among several species (e.g., which have recently been grouped in the clade Cetar- okapi, rhinoceros, elephants, whales) that may use in- tiodactyla (Nikaido et al. 1999;Murphyetal.2004; frasound (Bashaw 1993). These behaviors, coupled with a Price et al. 2005). It should be noted that the Artio- relatively large brain size, suggest considerable cognitive dactyla suborder Ruminantia appears to be most closely ability in giraffes. related to hippopotami and cetaceans, and composes a The relationship between cognitive abilities and cor- clade referred to as Cetruminantia (Graur and Higgins tical neuronal morphometry remains elusive in giraffes 1994; Shimamura et al. 1997). As such, it would be because their cerebral cortex remains largely unexplored reasonable to expect similarities in the organization of (DeFelipe et al. 2002), with only one recent study the brain among related species within cetartiodactyls examining giraffe cortex directly (Badlangana et al. (Hof and Sherwood 2005, 2007; Sherwood et al. 2009). 2007b). Therefore, in addition to qualitative classification For example, in the pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaproto- of neuronal types, the present study quantitatively don liberiensis) and cetaceans (bottlenose dolphin, investigated regional variation, with a focus on the Tursiops truncatus; minke whale, Balaenoptera acut- numerically dominant pyramidal neurons, in primary orostrata; humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae), motor and visual cortices. Although increased dendritic a variety of complex neocortical neurons have recently complexity has been associated with enhanced processing been documented, with spiny neurons existing along a demands in higher order primate cortices (Elston 2003, continuum from those that appeared more pyramid-like 2007; Jacobs and Scheibel 2002), there appears to be no to those that differ from the ‘‘typical’’ (i.e., primate/ a priori reason to expect differences in cortical pro- rodent-like) pyramidal neuron in terms of morphology cessing across primary cortical areas (Jacobs et al. 2001; and/or orientation (Butti et al. 2014a, b). In contrast, Clemo and Meredith 2012). As such, we expect pyra- aspiny cortical neurons appear relatively uniform and midal neuron dendritic extent to be similar between morphologically conserved across eutherian mammals giraffe primary motor and visual cortices. 123 Brain Struct Funct (2015) 220:2851–2872 2853 Materials and methods stained via a modified rapid Golgi technique (Scheibel and Scheibel 1978b), and sectioned serially at 120 lm with a Specimens vibratome (Leica VT1000S,
Recommended publications
  • Some Aspects of Neuromorphology, and the Co-Localization of Glial Related Markers in the Brains of Striped Owl (Asio Clamator) from North East Nigeria
    Niger. J. Physiol. Sci. 35 (June 2020): 109 - 113 www.njps.physiologicalsociety.com Research Article Some Aspects of Neuromorphology, and the Co-localization of Glial Related Markers in the Brains of Striped Owl (Asio clamator) from North East Nigeria Karatu A.La., Olopade, F.Eb., Folarin, O.Rc., Ladagu. A.Dd., *Olopade, J.Od and Kwari, H.Da aDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria bDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria cDepartment of Biomedical Laboratory Medical Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria dDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Summary: The striped owl (Asio clamator) is unique with its brownish white facial disc and they are found in the north eastern part of Nigeria. Little is known in the literature on the basic neuroanatomy of this species. This study focuses on the histology and glial expression of some brain regions of the striped owl. Five owls were obtained in the wild, and their brains were routinely prepared for Haematoxylin and Eosin, and Cresyl violet staining. Immunostaining was done with anti- Calbindin, anti MBP, anti-GFAP, and anti-Iba-1 antibodies; for the expression of cerebellar Purkinje cells and white matter, cerebral astrocytes and microglia cells respectively. These were qualitatively described. We found that the hippocampal formation of the striped owl, though unique, is very similar to what is seen in mammals. The cerebellar cortex is convoluted, has a single layer of Purkinje cells with profuse dendritic arborization, a distinct external granular cell layer, and a prominent stem of white matter were seen in this study.
    [Show full text]
  • (Mpfc-Lpmc) Affects Subjective Beauty but Not Ugliness
    ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 08 December 2015 doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00654 Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Left Primary Motor Cortex (mPFC-lPMC) Affects Subjective Beauty but not Ugliness Koyo Nakamura1 and Hideaki Kawabata2* 1 Graduate School of Human Relations, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, 2 Department of Psychology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan Neuroaesthetics has been searching for the neural bases of the subjective experience of beauty. It has been demonstrated that neural activities in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the left primary motor cortex (lPMC) correlate with the subjective experience of beauty. Although beauty and ugliness seem to be semantically and conceptually opposite, it is still unknown whether these two evaluations represent extreme opposites in unitary or bivariate dimensions. In this study, we applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to examine whether non-invasive brain stimulation modulates two types of esthetic evaluation; evaluating beauty and ugliness. Participants rated the Edited by: subjective beauty and ugliness of abstract paintings before and after the application of Edward A. Vessel, tDCS. Application of cathodal tDCS over the mPFC with anode electrode over the lPMC, New York University, USA which induced temporal inhibition of neural excitability of the mPFC, led to a decrease Reviewed by: Zaira Cattaneo, in beauty ratings but not ugliness ratings. There were no changes in ratings of both University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy beauty and ugliness when applying anodal tDCS or sham stimulation over the mPFC. Andrea Antal, Results from our experiment indicate that the mPFC and the lPMC have a causal role University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany in generating the subjective experience of beauty, with beauty and ugliness evaluations Gerald Cupchik, constituting two distinct dimensions.
    [Show full text]
  • Quantitative Analysis of Axon Collaterals of Single Pyramidal Cells
    Yang et al. BMC Neurosci (2017) 18:25 DOI 10.1186/s12868-017-0342-7 BMC Neuroscience RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Quantitative analysis of axon collaterals of single pyramidal cells of the anterior piriform cortex of the guinea pig Junli Yang1,2*, Gerhard Litscher1,3* , Zhongren Sun1*, Qiang Tang1, Kiyoshi Kishi2, Satoko Oda2, Masaaki Takayanagi2, Zemin Sheng1,4, Yang Liu1, Wenhai Guo1, Ting Zhang1, Lu Wang1,3, Ingrid Gaischek3, Daniela Litscher3, Irmgard Th. Lippe5 and Masaru Kuroda2 Abstract Background: The role of the piriform cortex (PC) in olfactory information processing remains largely unknown. The anterior part of the piriform cortex (APC) has been the focus of cortical-level studies of olfactory coding, and asso- ciative processes have attracted considerable attention as an important part in odor discrimination and olfactory information processing. Associational connections of pyramidal cells in the guinea pig APC were studied by direct visualization of axons stained and quantitatively analyzed by intracellular biocytin injection in vivo. Results: The observations illustrated that axon collaterals of the individual cells were widely and spatially distrib- uted within the PC, and sometimes also showed a long associational projection to the olfactory bulb (OB). The data showed that long associational axons were both rostrally and caudally directed throughout the PC, and the intrinsic associational fibers of pyramidal cells in the APC are omnidirectional connections in the PC. Within the PC, associa- tional axons typically followed rather linear trajectories and irregular bouton distributions. Quantitative data of the axon collaterals of two pyramidal cells in the APC showed that the average length of axonal collaterals was 101 mm, out of which 79 mm (78% of total length) were distributed in the PC.
    [Show full text]
  • The Prefrontal Cortex of the Primate: a Synopsis
    Psychobiology 2000,28 (2),125-13/ The prefrontal cortex of the primate: A synopsis JOAQuiN M. FUSTER University of California, Los Angeles, California The prefrontal cortex is one of the latest regions of the neocortex to develop, in both phylogeny and ontogeny. In the primate, the prefrontal cortex is anatomically divided into three major sectors: medial, orbital (or inferior), and dorsolateral. The dorsolateral sector is the association cortex of the convex­ ity of the frontal lobe. Phylogenetically and ontogenetically, this part of the prefrontal cortex is the one to develop last and most. It is the neural substrate of the higher cognitive functions that reach their maximum development in the human brain. The-most general and distinctive function of the dorso­ lateral prefrontal cortex is the temporal organization of goal-directed actions. In the human, this role extends to the domains of speech and reasoning. Two temporally symmetrical and mutually comple­ mentary cognitive functions-one retrospective and the other prospective-support that general pre­ frontal function of temporal organization: (1) active short-term memory, also called working memory; (2) prospective or preparatory set. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex interacts with other cortical and subcortical structures in those two time-bridging functions at the basis of the temporal organization of behavior. This article presents in summary form the most salient the cortex of the dorsal and lateral convexity ofthe ante­ empirical facts known to date on the structure and func­ rior part of the frontal lobe (Brodmann's cytoarchitectonic tions of the prefrontal cortex of the human and nonhuman area 46, and lateral parts of areas 8, 9, 10, and 11); (2) me­ primate.
    [Show full text]
  • Corticostriatal Interactions During Learning, Memory Processing, and Decision Making
    The Journal of Neuroscience, October 14, 2009 • 29(41):12831–12838 • 12831 Mini-Symposium Corticostriatal Interactions during Learning, Memory Processing, and Decision Making Cyriel M. A. Pennartz,1 Joshua D. Berke,2,3 Ann M. Graybiel,4,5 Rutsuko Ito,6 Carien S. Lansink,1 Matthijs van der Meer,7 A. David Redish,7 Kyle S. Smith,4,5 and Pieter Voorn8 1University of Amsterdam, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences Center for Neuroscience, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2Department of Psychology and 3Neuroscience Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, 4Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and 5McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, 6Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3UD, United Kingdom, 7Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, and 8Department of Anatomy, Research Institute Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit University Medical Center, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands This mini-symposium aims to integrate recent insights from anatomy, behavior, and neurophysiology, highlighting the anatom- ical organization, behavioral significance, and information-processing mechanisms of corticostriatal interactions. In this sum- mary of topics, which is not meant to provide a comprehensive survey, we will first review the anatomy of corticostriatal circuits, comparing different ways by which “loops” of cortical–basal ganglia circuits communicate. Next, we will address the causal importance and systems-neurophysiological mechanisms of corticostriatal interactions for memory, emphasizing the communi- cation between hippocampus and ventral striatum during contextual conditioning. Furthermore, ensemble recording techniques have been applied to compare information processing in the dorsal and ventral striatum to predictions from reinforcement learning theory.
    [Show full text]
  • Basal Ganglia Anatomy, Physiology, and Function Ns201c
    Basal Ganglia Anatomy, Physiology, and Function NS201c Human Basal Ganglia Anatomy Basal Ganglia Circuits: The ‘Classical’ Model of Direct and Indirect Pathway Function Motor Cortex Premotor Cortex + Glutamate Striatum GPe GPi/SNr Dopamine + - GABA - Motor Thalamus SNc STN Analagous rodent basal ganglia nuclei Gross anatomy of the striatum: gateway to the basal ganglia rodent Dorsomedial striatum: -Inputs predominantly from mPFC, thalamus, VTA Dorsolateral striatum: -Inputs from sensorimotor cortex, thalamus, SNc Ventral striatum: Striatal subregions: Dorsomedial (caudate) -Inputs from vPFC, hippocampus, amygdala, Dorsolateral (putamen) thalamus, VTA Ventral (nucleus accumbens) Gross anatomy of the striatum: patch and matrix compartments Patch/Striosome: -substance P -mu-opioid receptor Matrix: -ChAT and AChE -somatostatin Microanatomy of the striatum: cell types Projection neurons: MSN: medium spiny neuron (GABA) •striatonigral projecting – ‘direct pathway’ •striatopallidal projecting – ‘indirect pathway’ Interneurons: FS: fast-spiking interneuron (GABA) LTS: low-threshold spiking interneuron (GABA) LA: large aspiny neuron (ACh) 30 um Cellular properties of striatal neurons Microanatomy of the striatum: striatal microcircuits • Feedforward inhibition (mediated by fast-spiking interneurons) • Lateral feedback inhibition (mediated by MSN collaterals) Basal Ganglia Circuits: The ‘Classical’ Model of Direct and Indirect Pathway Function Motor Cortex Premotor Cortex + Glutamate Striatum GPe GPi/SNr Dopamine + - GABA - Motor Thalamus SNc STN The simplified ‘classical’ model of basal ganglia circuit function • Information encoded as firing rate • Basal ganglia circuit is linear and unidirectional • Dopamine exerts opposing effects on direct and indirect pathway MSNs Basal ganglia motor circuit: direct pathway Motor Cortex Premotor Cortex Glutamate Striatum GPe GPi/SNr Dopamine + GABA Motor Thalamus SNc STN Direct pathway MSNs express: D1, M4 receptors, Sub.
    [Show full text]
  • Function of Cerebral Cortex
    FUNCTION OF CEREBRAL CORTEX Course: Neuropsychology CC-6 (M.A PSYCHOLOGY SEM II); Unit I By Dr. Priyanka Kumari Assistant Professor Institute of Psychological Research and Service Patna University Contact No.7654991023; E-mail- [email protected] The cerebral cortex—the thin outer covering of the brain-is the part of the brain responsible for our ability to reason, plan, remember, and imagine. Cerebral Cortex accounts for our impressive capacity to process and transform information. The cerebral cortex is only about one-eighth of an inch thick, but it contains billions of neurons, each connected to thousands of others. The predominance of cell bodies gives the cortex a brownish gray colour. Because of its appearance, the cortex is often referred to as gray matter. Beneath the cortex are myelin-sheathed axons connecting the neurons of the cortex with those of other parts of the brain. The large concentrations of myelin make this tissue look whitish and opaque, and hence it is often referred to as white matter. The cortex is divided into two nearly symmetrical halves, the cerebral hemispheres . Thus, many of the structures of the cerebral cortex appear in both the left and right cerebral hemispheres. The two hemispheres appear to be somewhat specialized in the functions they perform. The cerebral hemispheres are folded into many ridges and grooves, which greatly increase their surface area. Each hemisphere is usually described, on the basis of the largest of these grooves or fissures, as being divided into four distinct regions or lobes. The four lobes are: • Frontal, • Parietal, • Occipital, and • Temporal.
    [Show full text]
  • Cortical Layers: What Are They Good For? Neocortex
    Cortical Layers: What are they good for? Neocortex L1 L2 L3 network input L4 computations L5 L6 Brodmann Map of Cortical Areas lateral medial 44 areas, numbered in order of samples taken from monkey brain Brodmann, 1908. Primary visual cortex lamination across species Balaram & Kaas 2014 Front Neuroanat Cortical lamination: not always a six-layered structure (archicortex) e.g. Piriform, entorhinal Larriva-Sahd 2010 Front Neuroanat Other layered structures in the brain Cerebellum Retina Complexity of connectivity in a cortical column • Paired-recordings and anatomical reconstructions generate statistics of cortical connectivity Lefort et al. 2009 Information flow in neocortical microcircuits Simplified version “computational Layer 2/3 layer” Layer 4 main output Layer 5 main input Layer 6 Thalamus e - excitatory, i - inhibitory Grillner et al TINS 2005 The canonical cortical circuit MAYBE …. DaCosta & Martin, 2010 Excitatory cell types across layers (rat S1 cortex) Canonical models do not capture the diversity of excitatory cell classes Oberlaender et al., Cereb Cortex. Oct 2012; 22(10): 2375–2391. Coding strategies of different cortical layers Sakata & Harris, Neuron 2010 Canonical models do not capture the diversity of firing rates and selectivities Why is the cortex layered? Do different layers have distinct functions? Is this the right question? Alternative view: • When thinking about layers, we should really be thinking about cell classes • A cells class may be defined by its input connectome and output projectome (and some other properties) • The job of different classes is to (i) make associations between different types of information available in each cortical column and/or (ii) route/gate different streams of information • Layers are convenient way of organising inputs and outputs of distinct cell classes Excitatory cell types across layers (rat S1 cortex) INTRATELENCEPHALIC (IT) | PYRAMIDAL TRACT (PT) | CORTICOTHALAMIC (CT) From Cereb Cortex.
    [Show full text]
  • The Prefrontal Cortex
    Avens Publishing Group Inviting Innovations Open Access Review Article J Hum Anat Physiol July 2017 Volume:1, Issue:1 © All rights are reserved by Ogeturk. AvensJournal Publishing of Group Inviting Innovations Human Anatomy The Prefrontal Cortex: A Basic & Physiology Embryological, Histological, Anatomical, and Functional Ramazan Fazıl Akkoc and Murat Ogeturk* Department of Anatomy, Firat University, Turkey Guideline *Address for Correspondence Murat Ogeturk, Firat University, Faculty of Medicine, 23119 Elazig, Turkey, Tel: +90-424-2370000 (ext: 4654); Fax: +90-424-2379138; Keywords: Prefrontal cortex; Working memory; Frontal lobe E-Mail: [email protected] Abstract Submission: 24 May, 2017 Accepted: 11 July, 2017 The prefrontal cortex (PFC) unites, processes and controls the Published: 19 August, 2017 information coming from cortex and subcortical structures, and Copyright: © 2017 Akkoc RF. This is an open access article distributed decides and executes goal-oriented behavior. A major function of PFC under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits is to maintain the attention. Furthermore, it has many other functions unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided including working memory, problem solving, graciousness, memory, the original work is properly cited. and intellectuality. PFC is well developed in humans and localized to the anterior of the frontal lobe. This article presents a systematic review and detailed summary of embryology, histology, anatomy, functions and lesions of PFC. I. Lamina zonalis: Contains few Cajal horizontal cells. The axons of Martinotti cells located at deep layers, the last branches of the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells, and the last branches Introduction of the afferent nerve fibers extend to this lamina.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to CNS: Anatomical Techniques
    9.14 - Brain Structure and its Origins Spring 2005 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Instructor: Professor Gerald Schneider A sketch of the central nervous system and its origins G. Schneider 2005 Part 1: Introduction MIT 9.14 Class 2 Neuroanatomical techniques Primitive cellular mechanisms present in one-celled organisms and retained in the evolution of neurons • Irritability and conduction • Specializations of membrane for irritability • Movement • Secretion • Parallel channels of information flow; integrative activity • Endogenous activity The need for integrative action in multi cellular organisms • Problems that increase with greater size and complexity of the organism: – How does one end influence the other end? – How does one side coordinate with the other side? – With multiple inputs and multiple outputs, how can conflicts be avoided (often, if not always!)? • Hence, the evolution of interconnections among multiple subsystems of the nervous system. How can such connections be studied? • The methods of neuroanatomy (neuromorphology): Obtaining data for making sense of this “lump of porridge”. • We can make much more sense of it when we use multiple methods to study the same brain. E.g., in addition we can use: – Neurophysiology: electrical stimulation and recording – Neurochemistry; neuropharmacology – Behavioral studies in conjunction with brain studies • In recent years, various imaging methods have also been used, with the advantage of being able to study the brains of humans, cetaceans and other animals without cutting them up. However, these methods are very limited for the study of pathways and connections in the CNS. A look at neuroanatomical methods Sectioning Figure by MIT OCW. Cytoarchitecture: Using dyes to bind selectively in the tissue -- Example of stains for cell bodies Specimen slide removed due to copyright reasons.
    [Show full text]
  • Neocortex: Consciousness Cerebellum
    Grey matter (chips) White matter (the wiring: the brain mainly talks to itself) Neocortex: consciousness Cerebellum: unconscious control of posture & movement brains 1. Golgi-stained section of cerebral cortex 2. One of Ramon y Cajal’s faithful drawings showing nerve cell diversity in the brain cajal Neuropil: perhaps 1 km2 of plasma membrane - a molecular reaction substrate for 1024 voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels. light to Glia: 3 further cell types 1. Astrocytes: trophic interface with blood, maintain blood brain barrier, buffer excitotoxic neurotransmitters, support synapses astros Oligodendrocytes: myelin insulation oligos Production persists into adulthood: radiation myelopathy 3. Microglia: resident macrophages of the CNS. Similarities and differences with Langerhans cells, the professional antigen-presenting cells of the skin. 3% of all cells, normally renewed very slowly by division and immigration. Normal Neurosyphilis microglia Most adult neurons are already produced by birth Peak synaptic density by 3 months EMBRYONIC POSTNATAL week: 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 Month: 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 Year: 4 8 12 16 20 24 Cell birth Migration 2* Neurite outgrowth Synaptogenesis Myelination 1* Synapse elimination Modified from various sources inc: Andersen SL Neurosci & Biobehav Rev 2003 Rakic P Nat Rev Neurosci 2002 Bourgeois Acta Pediatr Suppl 422 1997 timeline 1 Synaptogenesis 100% * Rat RTH D BI E A Density of synapses in T PUBERTY primary visual cortex H at different times post- 0% conception. 100% (logarithmic scale) RTH Cat BI D E A T PUBERTY H The density values equivalent 0% to 100% vary between species 100% but in Man the peak value is Macaque 6 3 RTH 350 x10 synapses per mm BI D E PUBERTY A T The peak rate of synapse H formation is at birth in the 0% macaque: extrapolating to 100% the entire cortex, this Man RTH BI amounts to around 800,000 D E synapses formed per sec.
    [Show full text]
  • Neuroaesthetics of Art Vision: an Experimental Approach to the Sense of Beauty
    Cl n l of i ica a l T rn r u ia o l s J ISSN: 2167-0870 Journal of Clinical Trials Research Article Neuroaesthetics of Art Vision: An Experimental Approach to the Sense of Beauty Maddalena Coccagna1, PietroAvanzini2, Mariagrazia Portera4, Giovanni Vecchiato2, Maddalena Fabbri Destro2, AlessandroVittorio Sironi3,9, Fabrizio Salvi8, Andrea Gatti5, Filippo Domenicali5, Raffaella Folgieri3,6, Annalisa Banzi3, Caselli Elisabetta1, Luca Lanzoni1, Volta Antonella1, Matteo Bisi1, Silvia Cesari1, Arianna Vivarelli1, Giorgio Balboni Pier1, Giuseppe Santangelo Camillo1, Giovanni Sassu7, Sante Mazzacane1* 1Department of CIAS Interdepartmental Research Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy;2Department of CNR Neuroscience Institute, Parma, Italy;3Department of CESPEB Neuroaesthetics Laboratory, University Bicocca, Milan, Italy;4Department of Letters and Philosophy, University of Florence, Italy;5Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy;6Department of Philosophy Piero Martinetti, University La Statale, Milan, Italy;7Department of Musei Arte Antica, Ferrara, Italy;8Department of Neurological Sciences, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy;9Department of Centre of the history of Biomedical Thought, University Bicocca, Milan, Italy ABSTRACT Objective: NEVArt research aims to study the correlation between a set of neurophysiological/emotional reactions and the level of aesthetic appreciation of around 500 experimental subjects, during the observation of 18 different paintings from the XVI-XVIII century, in a real museum context. Methods: Several bio-signals have been recorded to evaluate the participants’ reactions during the observation of paintings. Among them: (a) neurovegetative, motor and emotional biosignals were recorded using wearable tools for EEG (electroencephalogram), ECG (electrocardiogram) and EDA (electrodermal activity); (b) gaze pattern during the observation of art works, while (c) data of the participants (age, gender, education, familiarity with art, etc.) and their explicit judgments about paintings have been obtained.
    [Show full text]