A revised perspective on the evolution of the lateral frontal cortex in primates

Detailed neuroscientific data from macaque monkeys have been essential in advancing understanding of human frontal cortex function, particularly for regions of frontal cortex without homologs in other model species. However, precise transfer of this knowledge for direct use in human applications requires an under-standing of monkey to hominid homologies, particularly whether and how sulci and cytoarchitectonic regions in the frontal cortex of macaques relate to those in hominids. We combine sulcal pattern analysis with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and cytoarchitectonic analysis to show that old -world monkey brains have the same principles of organization as hominid brains, with the notable exception of sulci in the frontopolar cortex. This essential comparative framework provides insights into primate brain evolution and a key tool to drive translation from invasive research in monkeys to human applications.

Automated summary

Detailed neuroscientific analysis of macaque monkey brains has advanced our understanding of human frontal cortex function. To directly apply this knowledge, it is crucial to understand the homologies between monkey and human brains, particularly in terms of sulci and cytoarchitectonic regions in the frontal cortex. Combining sulcal pattern analysis, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, and cytoarchitectonic analysis, it has been revealed that old-world monkey brains share the same organizational principles as hominid brains, except for the sulci in the frontopolar cortex. This comparative framework not only sheds light on primate brain evolution, but also serves as a valuable tool for translating invasive monkey research to human applications.