Evolution of the Human Nervous System Function, Structure, and Development

Sousa, André M. M.; Meyer, Kyle A.; Santpere, Gabriel; Gulden, Forrest O.; Šestan, Nenad

doi:10.1016/j.cell.2017.06.036

Cited by 379 publications

(290 citation statements)

References 267 publications

(373 reference statements)

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“…Crucially, while brain regions and cytoarchitecture are generally conserved across mammalian species, the human brain is thought to have evolved unique changes in cellular identity and neural connectivity (Geschwind and Rakic, 2013; Sousa et al, 2017). Moreover, null mutations in human and mouse orthologous genes frequently result in different phenotypes (Barak et al, 2011; Liao and Zhang, 2008).…”

Section: Defining Cell Types Across Regions Developmental Periods Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Consortium: Lessons Learned toward Generating a Comprehensive Brain Cell Atlas

Ecker

Geschwind

Kriegstein

et al. 2017

Neuron

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258

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A comprehensive characterization of neuronal cell types, their distributions and patterns of connectivity is critical for understanding the properties of neural circuits and how they generate behaviors. Here we review the experiences of the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Consortium – ten pilot projects funded by the U.S. BRAIN Initiative – in developing, validating and scaling up emerging genomic and anatomical mapping technologies for creating a complete inventory of neuronal cell types and their connections in multiple species and during development. These projects lay the foundation for a larger and longer-term effort to generate whole-brain cell atlases in species including mice and humans.

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Section: Defining Cell Types Across Regions Developmental Periods Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Consortium: Lessons Learned toward Generating a Comprehensive Brain Cell Atlas

Ecker

Geschwind

Kriegstein

et al. 2017

Neuron

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258

199

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“…The brain has also undergone microstructural, connectional, and molecular changes in the human lineage (1–5), changes likely mediated by divergent spatiotemporal gene expression (6–17). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular and cellular reorganization of neural circuits in the human lineage

Sousa

Zhu

Raghanti

et al. 2017

Science

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214

192

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To better understand the molecular and cellular differences in brain organization between human and non-human primates, we performed transcriptome sequencing of sixteen regions of adult human, chimpanzee, and macaque brains. Integration with human single-cell transcriptomic data revealed global, regional, and cell-type specific species expression differences in genes representing distinct functional categories. We validated and further characterized the human specificity of genes enriched in distinct cell types through histological and functional analyses, including rare subpallial-derived interneurons expressing dopamine biosynthesis genes enriched in the human striatum and absent in the non-human African ape neocortex. Our integrated analysis of the generated data revealed diverse molecular and cellular features of the phylogenetic reorganization of the human brain across multiple levels of organization, with relevance for brain function and disease.

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“…Due to these differences, neurons within the human brain are subdivided into intracortical projection neurons and corticofugal projection neurons (Migliore & Shepherd, 2005;Molyneaux, Arlotta, Menezes, & Macklis, 2007). Thus, despite the total number of neurons and the specific morphological characteristics of the cortex, there are also differences in the types of neurons colonizing the human cortex and their physiological and connectivity abilities (Sousa, Meyer, Santpere, Gulden, & Sestan, 2017). It is known that one of the key aspects inducing these changes is the differences in the gene expression profile among the progenitor and neuronal cells (King & Wilson, 1975).…”

Section: Cortical Layers Formation-generation Of Foldsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using brain organoids to study human neurodevelopment, evolution and disease

Kyrousi

Cappello

2019

WIREs Developmental Biology

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The brain is one of the most complex organs, responsible for the advanced intellectual and cognitive ability of humans. Although primates are to some extent capable of performing cognitive tasks, their abilities are less evolved. One of the reasons for this is the vast differences in the brain of humans compared to other mammals, in terms of shape, size and complexity. Such differences make the study of human brain development fascinating. Interestingly, the cerebral cortex is by far the most complex brain region resulting from its selective evolution within mammals over millions of years. Unraveling the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating brain development, as well as the evolutionary differences seen across species and the need to understand human brain disorders, are some of the reasons why scientists are interested in improving their current knowledge on human corticogenesis. Toward this end, several animal models including primates have been used, however, these models are limited in their extent to recapitulate human‐specific features. Recent technological achievements in the field of stem cell research, which have enabled the generation of human models of corticogenesis, called brain or cerebral organoids, are of great importance. This review focuses on the main cellular and molecular features of human corticogenesis and the use of brain organoids to study it. We will discuss the key differences between cortical development in human and nonhuman mammals, the technological applications of brain organoids and the different aspects of cortical development in normal and pathological conditions, which can be modeled using brain organoids. This article is categorized under: Comparative Development and Evolution > Regulation of Organ Diversity Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles

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Evolution of the Human Nervous System Function, Structure, and Development

Cited by 379 publications

References 267 publications

The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Consortium: Lessons Learned toward Generating a Comprehensive Brain Cell Atlas

The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Consortium: Lessons Learned toward Generating a Comprehensive Brain Cell Atlas

Molecular and cellular reorganization of neural circuits in the human lineage

Using brain organoids to study human neurodevelopment, evolution and disease

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