Human Origins and Comparative Neurochemistry

Kent State University, Kent OH

Investigators

Abstract

Neurochemicals, like dopamine and serotonin, are important in the regulation of behaviors and cognitive functions. Humans have unique neurochemistry within areas of the brain involved in motivation and language. In this project, the neurochemistry of the striatum and amygdala in human and nonhuman primate postmortem brains will be analyzed to test hypotheses about the evolution of pro-social behaviors, including language. This research will include undergraduate and graduate student training and mentoring, as well as public science outreach activities. Also, because the neurochemicals under investigation are involved in various human-specific neuropathologies, including autism and Parkinson's disease, the results have the potential to inform and advance our understanding of disease etiology and treatment. Microscopic alterations within the brain can have major implications for cognitive and behavioral development. Accordingly, microanatomical analyses of human and nonhuman primate brains can contribute to our understanding of human brain evolution. Neurochemical changes can have a major impact on social behavior and may have been pivotal for the emergence of the human lineage. This project incorporates advanced laboratory and microscopy techniques to examine the neurochemistry associated with social and life history variables. Humans have a unique neurochemical profile within the striatum, a subcortical region of the brain that regulates behaviors involved in social reward and is a critical component of both language and personality styles. The ventral striatum is intimately connected with the amygdala, which governs aggression levels by modulating aversive stimuli. Stereologic methods will be employed for quantitative analyses of striatal and amygdala neurochemistry visualized using immunohistochemical techniques. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.