title: Dendritic architecture of the von Economo neurons.
abstract: The von Economo neurons are one of the few known specializations to hominoid cortical microcircuitry. Here, using a Golgi preparation of a human postmortem brain, we describe the dendritic architecture of this unique population of neurons. We have found that, in contrast to layer 5 pyramidal neurons, the von Economo neurons have sparse dendritic trees and symmetric apical and basal components. This result provides the first detailed anatomical description of a neuron type unique to great apes and humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, California Institute of Technology, M/C 216-76, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. karlikiiko@gmail.com
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Allman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016622:Silver Staining / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography