| Project/Area Number |
20K15945
|
|---|
| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
|
| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
|---|
| Review Section |
Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Institute of Physical and Chemical Research |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
Autio Joonas 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 生命機能科学研究センター, 上級研究員 (40755485)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
|
| Project Status |
Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
|
| Budget Amount *help |
¥3,640,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥840,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
|
|---|
| Keywords | Evolution / Cerebellum / Functional network / Functional imaging / Comparative neuroscience / Human / Macaque / fMRI / cerebellum / macaque / Cerebro-cerebellar / Resting-state / System neuroscience / Functional / MRI |
|---|
| Outline of Research at the Start |
Cerebellum contain the large majority of the neurons in the brain (80% in humans) and contributes to a wide range of brain functions. However, little is known about the evolution of cerebro-cerebellar system due to the technical challenge imposed by the multi-synaptic circuitry. To corroborate the evolution of primate cerebro-cerebellar communication, here, I investigate the cerebro-cerebellar functional connectivity by capitalizing on our recent advances in the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake behaving macaque monkeys and compare the findings with those in humans.
|
| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
In this study, we explored the evolution of the cerebro-cerebellar system by comparing resting-state functional connectivity in macaque monkeys and humans. Our findings revealed that the human cerebellum exhibits extensive functional circuits associated with working memory, higher-visual, default-mode, and language functions. In contrast, these circuits were either very small or negligible in macaque monkeys. Given that the cerebellum contains the majority of neurons in the primate brain, our findings suggest that the computational advantages provided by the cerebellum may significantly contribute to the emergence of human intelligence and the unique behaviors observed in our species within the primate lineage.
|
| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
Understanding the evolutionary emergence of human behavior holds profound scientific and social interest. Our research provides valuable insights into this evolutionary process and suggests that the enlargement of higher-level cerebro-cerebellar functional connectivity underlies this development.
|
