Presentation Title
Interspecies comparisons of advanced cognitive abilities through cell density of prefrontal cortical layers
Abstract
Interspecies comparisons of advanced cognitive abilities through cell density of prefrontal cortical layers
Jennifer Carellas1, Bonnie Cantrell1, Robert C. Switzer III2, Eugene Delay1, Steven Zinn3, Sharon Aborn3, Jane O’Neil1, Asher Bean1, Emma Schoeling1, Shravya Suddala1,
Julia Sjoquist1, Joseph Waksman1, Hannah Lachance1, Brenda Murdoch4, Rick Funston5, Robert Weaber6, Nathan Jebbett1†, Stephanie McKay1†
1University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, 2NeuroScience Associates, Inc., Knoxville, TN, 37934, 3University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, 4University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844, 5Nebraska, North Platte, NE, 69101, 6Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, †Co-principle investigator
Humans and nonhuman primates share similar advanced cognitive abilities believed to be because the cell layers in the frontal cortical regions undergo longer durations of neurogenesis. Species with more advanced cognitive functions tend to have higher cell densities in cortical layer 2/3. This study aims to compare cell density levels between species with advanced cognition, Homo sapiens,Macaca mulatta, and Tursiops truncatus, to species lacking advanced cognition, Rattus norvegicus, Bos taurus, and Felis catus. A brain atlas of nissl stained sections 55 micrometers apart for Bos taurus was created and labeled in order to compare across species. ImageJ was used to determine cell densities using nissl stained brain atlases in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and the anterior cingulate cortex. Sections were 0.5 mm length by 0.5 mm width by 0.5 mm height including cortical cell layers 1, 2/3, and part of 4. We hypothesize that Homo sapiens,Macaca mulatta, and Tursiops truncatuswill have a thicker cell density in the 2/3 cortical layer. We also believe there will be variation between each species related to their advanced cognition. Comparing cell density between cortical layers may provide further insight into how cognition develops and the differences between species.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Stephanie McKay
Secondary Mentor Name
Nathan Jebbett
Graduate Student Mentors
Bonnie Cantrell
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Asher Bean, Emma Schoeling, Shravya Suddala, Julia Sjoquist, Joseph Waksman, Eugene Delay
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Neuroscience
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Interspecies comparisons of advanced cognitive abilities through cell density of prefrontal cortical layers
Interspecies comparisons of advanced cognitive abilities through cell density of prefrontal cortical layers
Jennifer Carellas1, Bonnie Cantrell1, Robert C. Switzer III2, Eugene Delay1, Steven Zinn3, Sharon Aborn3, Jane O’Neil1, Asher Bean1, Emma Schoeling1, Shravya Suddala1,
Julia Sjoquist1, Joseph Waksman1, Hannah Lachance1, Brenda Murdoch4, Rick Funston5, Robert Weaber6, Nathan Jebbett1†, Stephanie McKay1†
1University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, 2NeuroScience Associates, Inc., Knoxville, TN, 37934, 3University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, 4University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844, 5Nebraska, North Platte, NE, 69101, 6Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, †Co-principle investigator
Humans and nonhuman primates share similar advanced cognitive abilities believed to be because the cell layers in the frontal cortical regions undergo longer durations of neurogenesis. Species with more advanced cognitive functions tend to have higher cell densities in cortical layer 2/3. This study aims to compare cell density levels between species with advanced cognition, Homo sapiens,Macaca mulatta, and Tursiops truncatus, to species lacking advanced cognition, Rattus norvegicus, Bos taurus, and Felis catus. A brain atlas of nissl stained sections 55 micrometers apart for Bos taurus was created and labeled in order to compare across species. ImageJ was used to determine cell densities using nissl stained brain atlases in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and the anterior cingulate cortex. Sections were 0.5 mm length by 0.5 mm width by 0.5 mm height including cortical cell layers 1, 2/3, and part of 4. We hypothesize that Homo sapiens,Macaca mulatta, and Tursiops truncatuswill have a thicker cell density in the 2/3 cortical layer. We also believe there will be variation between each species related to their advanced cognition. Comparing cell density between cortical layers may provide further insight into how cognition develops and the differences between species.