Neurogenesis in the Neocortex of Adult Primates

Abstract

In primates, prefrontal, inferior temporal, and posterior parietal cortex are important for cognitive function. It is shown that in adult macaques, new neurons are added to these three neocortical association areas, but not to a primary sensory area (striate cortex). The new neurons appeared to originate in the subventricular zone and to migrate through the white matter to the neocortex, where they extended axons. These new neurons, which are continually added in adulthood, may play a role in the functions of association neocortex.

Chronic Social Stress Inhibits Cell Proliferation in the Adult Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Hemispheric Asymmetry and Reversal by Fluoxetine Treatment

“…The presence of newborn neurons has been reported in various neocortical areas of adult nonhuman primates (Gould et al, 1999(Gould et al, , 2001Bernier et al, 2002), but these findings have not been replicated by other investigators (Kornack and Rakic, 2001). Interestingly, a recent study came to the conclusion that GABAergic interneurons are generated in the neocortex of adult rats (Dayer et al, 2005).…”

A BDNF Coding Variant is Associated with the NEO Personality Inventory Domain Neuroticism, a Risk Factor for Depression

“…The recent finding that there is significant neurogenesis in the hippocampi of adult primates suggests a mechanism through which BDNF might relate to depression (Gould et al, 1999). The hippocampi of depressed patients are significantly smaller than those of healthy individuals (Sheline, 2000).…”

Manipulation of Neural Precursors in situ Induction of Neurogenesis in the Neocortex of Adult Mice

“…Our own results demonstrate a complete absence of constitutively occurring neurogenesis in murine neocortex (Magavi et al 2000). However, two studies reported low level, constitutively-occurring neurogenesis in specific regions of the neocortex of adult primates (Gould et al 1999c) and in the visual cortex of adult rat (Kaplan 1981). In Gould et al, neurogenesis of 2-3 new neurons/mm 3 was reported in prefrontal, inferior temporal, and posterior parietal cortex of the adult macaque, but not in striate cortex, a presumably simpler primary sensory area.…”