Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Gavin ClowryORCiD
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Human beings have considerably expanded cognitive abilities compared with all other species and they also have a relatively larger cerebral cortex compared with their body size. But is a bigger brain the only reason for higher cognition or have other features evolved in parallel? Humans have more and different types of GABAergic interneurons, found in different places, than our model species. Studies are beginning to show differences in function. Is this expanded repertoire of functional types matched by an evolution of their developmental origins? Recent studies support the idea that generation of interneurons in the ventral telencephalon may be more complicated in primates, which have evolved a large and complex outer subventricular zone in the ganglionic eminences. In addition, proportionally more interneurons appear to be produced in the caudal ganglionic eminence, the majority of which populate the superficial layers of the cortex. Whether or not the cortical proliferative zones are a source of interneurogenesis, and to what extent and of what significance, is a contentious issue. As there is growing evidence that conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and congenital epilepsy may have developmental origins in the failure of interneuron production and migration, it is important we understand fully the similarities and differences between human development and our animal models.
Author(s): Clowry GJ
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Anatomy
Year: 2015
Volume: 227
Issue: 4
Pages: 384-393
Print publication date: 01/10/2015
Online publication date: 20/05/2014
Acceptance date: 14/04/2014
ISSN (print): 0021-8782
ISSN (electronic): 1469-7580
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/joa.12198
DOI: 10.1111/joa.12198
PubMed id: 24839870
