AUTHOR=Friederici Angela D. , Wittig Roman M. , Anwander Alfred , Eichner Cornelius , Gräßle Tobias , Jäger Carsten , Kirilina Evgeniya , Lipp Ilona , Düx Ariane , Edwards Luke J. , Girard-Buttoz Cédric , Jauch Anna , Kopp Kathrin S. , Paquette Michael , Pine Kerrin J. , Unwin Steve , Haun Daniel B. M. , Leendertz Fabian H. , McElreath Richard , Morawski Markus , Gunz Philipp , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Crockford Catherine , EBC Consortium , Ashoff Daniel , Albig Karoline , Amarasekaran Bala , Angedakin Sam , Anwander Alfred , Asiimwe Caroline , Bock Christian , Blazey Birgit , Bernhard Andreas , Beehner Jacinta C , Bailanda Laurent , Belais Raphael , Bergman Thore J , Böttcher Denny , Bortolato Tatiana , Carlier Penelope , Chantrey Julian , Crockford Catherine , Denk Daniela , Deschner Tobias , Düx Ariane , Edwards Luke J. , Eichner Cornelius , Encke Dag , Escoubas Gelardine , Ettaj Malak , Fedurek Pawel , Flores Karina , Romero Florero Alejandra , Franke Richard , Friederici Angela D , Girard-Buttoz Cedric , Gomez Fortun Jorge , Gräßle Tobias , Gruber-Dujardin Eva , Gunz Philipp , Hambrecht Susan , Hansmann Florian , Hartel Jess , Haun Daniel BM , Henshall Michael , Hobaiter Catherine , Hofman Noémie , Jaffe Jennifer E , Jäger Carsten , Jauch Anna , Karhemere Stomy , Kirilina Evgenya , Klopfleisch Robert , Knauf-Witzens Tobias , Kopp Kathrin , Lange Bastian , Langergraber Kevin E , Lawrenz Arne , Lee Kevin , Leendertz Fabian H , Lipp Illona , Liptovszky Matyas , Patricia Lumbu Christelle , Makouloutou Nzassi Patrice , Landry Mamboundou Kouima Guy , Mätz-Rensing Kerstin , McElreath Richard , Mezö Zoltan , Minesi Fanny , Moittie Sophie , Møller Torsten , Morawski Markus , Morgan Dave , Müller Mathias , Mugabe Timothy , Muller Martin , Olofsson-Sannö Karin , Ondzie Alain , Otali Emily , Paquette Michael , Pika Simone , Pine Kerrin J. , Pizarro Andrea , Pleh Kamilla , Reichler-Danielowski Sandra , Rendel Jessica , Robbins Martha M , Ruske Konstantin , Samuni Liran , Sanz Crickette , Schinköthe Jan , Schüle André , Schwabe Ingo , Schwalm Katarina , Sebastiampillai Anistan , Southern Lara , Speede Sheri , Steiner Jonas , Stidworthy Mark F , Surbeck Martin , Szentiks Claudia A. , Tanga Tanguy , Loubser Theron Tobias , Ulrich Reiner , Unwin Steve , van de Waal Erica , Walker Sue , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Wibbelt Gudrun , Widulin Navena , Will Hermann , M Wittig Roman , Wood Kim , Zaccarella Emiliano , Zuberbühler Klaus TITLE=Brain structure and function: a multidisciplinary pipeline to study hominoid brain evolution JOURNAL=Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience VOLUME=17 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnint.2023.1299087 DOI=10.3389/fnint.2023.1299087 ISSN=1662-5145 ABSTRACT=

To decipher the evolution of the hominoid brain and its functions, it is essential to conduct comparative studies in primates, including our closest living relatives. However, strong ethical concerns preclude in vivo neuroimaging of great apes. We propose a responsible and multidisciplinary alternative approach that links behavior to brain anatomy in non-human primates from diverse ecological backgrounds. The brains of primates observed in the wild or in captivity are extracted and fixed shortly after natural death, and then studied using advanced MRI neuroimaging and histology to reveal macro- and microstructures. By linking detailed neuroanatomy with observed behavior within and across primate species, our approach provides new perspectives on brain evolution. Combined with endocranial brain imprints extracted from computed tomographic scans of the skulls these data provide a framework for decoding evolutionary changes in hominin fossils. This approach is poised to become a key resource for investigating the evolution and functional differentiation of hominoid brains.