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Journal of anatomy1996; 188 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1); 53-58;

The gyrification of mammalian cerebral cortex: quantitative evidence of anisomorphic surface expansion during phylogenetic and ontogenetic development.

Abstract: Describing the shapes of 3D objects has proved to be as problematical in biology as in other areas. In an attempt to tackle this problem, established stereological methods (the Cavalieri principle and vertical sectioning) have been used to estimate a 3D shape-dependent quantity which can detect anisomorphic changes and is related to the degree of cortical convolution or gyrification. This isomophy factor is employed to assess phylogenetic and ontogenetic changes in the mammalian cerebral cortex. Gross anatomical differences between cerebral hemispheres of adult domestic mammals (horses, oxen, pigs, goats, dogs, cats and rabbits) were tested by paying attention to species, laterality and sex differences. Human fetal brains were also studied. Mean body weights of domestic mammals varied from 4 kg to 460 kg and brain weights from 10 g to 636 g. Fetuses weighed 39-610 g (crown-rump lengths 85-185 mm) and brain volumes were 4-56 cm3. Isomorphy factors were derived from estimates of hemisphere volumes and cortical surface areas. Hemisphere shape varied between species but no lateral or sex differences were detected. It is concluded that these mammalian brains are, in terms of their gross anatomy, symmetric and not sexually dimorphic. Fetal brains became more convoluted during uterine development. The isomorphy factor offers a convenient measure of gyrification which demonstrates that brains become more convoluted as they enlarge.
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Publication Date: 1996-02-01 PubMed ID: 8655415PubMed Central: PMC1167632
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study adds to the understanding of how the cerebral cortex, or the outer layer of the brain, expands and takes shape in different mammalian species, including humans, throughout evolutionary and developmental stages. The authors propose a quantitative measure, called the isomorphy factor, to quantify this process, using established stereological methods. They analyze anatomical differences between different species and examine the conversation and gender differences. The study concludes that mammalian brains are symmetric and not influenced by sex, and that brains become more convoluted as they grow in size.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used established stereological methods, including the Cavalieri principle and vertical sectioning, to estimate a three-dimensional shape-dependent quantity related to the degree of cortical convolution or gyrification, creating a measure they referred to as the isomorphy factor.
  • They studied the cerebral hemispheres of adult domestic mammals including horses, oxen, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, and rabbits, specifically examining the differences between species, between the right and left hemispheres, and between the sexes.
  • Calculated isomorphy factors for each organism were based on the estimates of hemisphere volumes and cortical surface areas.

Results and Discussion

  • The results demonstrated that the shape of the cerebral hemisphere varies between different species, but no significant differences were detected between left and right hemispheres or between genders.
  • They also observed that the brains of human fetuses became more convoluted or “gyrified” during development in the uterus.
  • It was concluded from these observations that the brains of mammals are symmetric at a gross anatomical level and are not influenced by gender. The degree of gyrification appears to be directly related to brain size.

Significance and Implications

  • The isomorphy factor presented in the study offers a new and quantitative way to measure cortical convolution, adding a quantifiable measure to the study of cerebral cortex development and evolution.
  • The finding that brains become more convoluted as they grow may have implications for understanding the growth and development of the brain, as well as potential developmental or pathological conditions that could affect these processes.

Cite This Article

APA
Mayhew TM, Mwamengele GL, Dantzer V, Williams S. (1996). The gyrification of mammalian cerebral cortex: quantitative evidence of anisomorphic surface expansion during phylogenetic and ontogenetic development. J Anat, 188 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1), 53-58.

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 0021-8782
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 188 ( Pt 1)
Issue: Pt 1
Pages: 53-58

Researcher Affiliations

Mayhew, T M
  • Department of Human Morphology, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, UK.
Mwamengele, G L
    Dantzer, V
      Williams, S

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Cats
        • Cattle
        • Cerebral Cortex / anatomy & histology
        • Cerebral Cortex / embryology
        • Cerebral Cortex / growth & development
        • Dogs
        • Goats
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • Morphogenesis
        • Phylogeny
        • Rabbits
        • Species Specificity
        • Swine

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 8 times.
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