PMID: 9176732Jan 1, 1997Paper

Cortical scaling in mammals: a repeating units model

Journal für Hirnforschung
J Prothero

Abstract

A simple scaling model germane to the gyrencephalic mammalian cortex is proposed. The model aims to account for the empirical scaling of morphometric variables such as cortical thickness, surface area and volume, as a function of brain size. Several assumptions are made. Gyrencephalic cortices are assumed to be modular in construction, comprised of identical repeating units. Both the number and size of cortical units are assumed to increase with increasing brain size. The shape of the brain and of the repeating units are assumed not to vary systematically with brain size. The surface-density of repeating units is taken to be invariant. The model exponents for cortical thickness, folded surface area and volume, each as a function of cerebral volume, are one-ninth, eight-ninths and one, respectively. These discrete model exponents, and others, are in reasonable agreement with a diverse body of scaling data, both phylogenetic and ontogenetic. One interpretation is that phylogenetic scaling simply reflects ontogenetic scaling, extended over a wide range of adult brain sizes. The model is confined to ontogenetic/phylogenetic scaling. It is suggested that the model exponents are not adaptive, in the usual sense of that term.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.