The Pyramidal Cell in Cognition: A Comparative Study in Human and Monkey

Here we present evidence that the pyramidal cell phenotype varies markedly in the cortex of different anthropoid species. Regional and species differences in the size of, number of bifurcations in, and spine density of the basal dendritic arbors cannot be explained by brain size. Instead, pyramidal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of neuroscience 2001-09, Vol.21 (17), p.163-RC163
Main Authors: Elston, Guy N, Benavides-Piccione, Ruth, DeFelipe, Javier
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Callithrix
Cell Count
Cell Surface Extensions - ultrastructure
Cerebral Cortex - cytology
Cognition - physiology
Dendrites - ultrastructure
Humans
Macaca fascicularis
Male
Middle Aged
Occipital Lobe - cytology
Phenotype
Prefrontal Cortex - cytology
Primates
Pyramidal Cells - cytology
Pyramidal Cells - physiology
Rapid Communication
Species Specificity
Temporal Lobe - cytology
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Summary:Here we present evidence that the pyramidal cell phenotype varies markedly in the cortex of different anthropoid species. Regional and species differences in the size of, number of bifurcations in, and spine density of the basal dendritic arbors cannot be explained by brain size. Instead, pyramidal cell morphology appears to accord with the specialized cortical function these cells perform. Cells in the prefrontal cortex of humans are more branched and more spinous than those in the temporal and occipital lobes. Moreover, cells in the prefrontal cortex of humans are more branched and more spinous than those in the prefrontal cortex of macaque and marmoset monkeys. These results suggest that highly spinous, compartmentalized, pyramidal cells (and the circuits they form) are required to perform complex cortical functions such as comprehension, perception, and planning.
ISSN:0270-6474
1529-2401
DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.21-17-j0002.2001