Why Marmosets Have Smaller, Smoother Brains
Researchers at the German Primate Center in Göttingen, Germany, have found out why common marmosets have brains that are almost entirely smooth, unlike most primates. Their study, published in Science Advances, reveals that certain cellular processes are responsible for this difference.
The scientists compared brain organoids grown from human and common marmoset cells to identify the key factors that contribute to the marmoset's smaller brain size and smoother surface. They found that neural progenitor cells in marmosets divide more slowly and have simpler structures than their human counterparts.
The researchers also discovered that the marmoset's brain development is slowed down by the shorter window for rapid growth of these cells. This results in fewer neurons being produced, leading to a smaller brain size and less folding.
The findings add to what scientists know about how primate brains evolved. The team says understanding how neuron production is controlled could, in time, also help research into human brain development.
The researchers used brain organoids, small three-dimensional structures grown from cells, to investigate developmental changes across multiple samples. This allowed them to compare the timing of key processes and establish a relationship between development in organoids and actual marmoset brains.
