The von Economo Neurons in Apes and Humans.

Authors :: ALLMAN, JOHN M.
TETREAULT, NICOLE A.
HAKEEM, ATIYA Y.
SOYOUNG PARK
Source :: American Journal of Human Biology. Jan/Feb2011, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p5-21. 17p. 3 Black and White Photographs, 5 Diagrams, 3 Charts, 4 Graphs.
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: The article describes the von economo neurons (VENs), large bipolar neurons that are found in frontoinsular (FI) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in great apes and humans. Stereological analysis revealed that there are more VENs in FI and the limbic anterior (LA) area of ACC of human than in apes. VENs in humans were found to be rare at birth and increase during the first eight months after birth. The authors concluded that VENs and fork cells selectively express bombesin peptides neuromedin B (NMB) and gastrin releasing peptide, relevant for satiety.