Different early rearing experiences have long-term effects on cortical organization in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Different early rearing experiences have long-term effects on cortical organization in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

AU - Bogart, Stephanie L

AU - Bennett, Allyson J

AU - Schapiro, Steve

AU - Reamer, Lisa A

AU - Hopkins, William D

N1 - © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2014/3

Y1 - 2014/3

N2 - Consequences of rearing history in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have been explored in relation to behavioral abnormalities and cognition; however, little is known about the effects of rearing conditions on anatomical brain development. Human studies have revealed that experiences of maltreatment and neglect during infancy and childhood can have detrimental effects on brain development and cognition. In this study, we evaluated the effects of early rearing experience on brain morphology in 92 captive chimpanzees (ages 11-43) who were either reared by their mothers (n = 46) or in a nursery (n = 46) with age-group peers. Magnetic resonance brain images were analyzed with a processing program (BrainVISA) that extracts cortical sulci. We obtained various measurements from 11 sulci located throughout the brain, as well as whole brain gyrification and white and grey matter volumes. We found that mother-reared chimpanzees have greater global white-to-grey matter volume, more cortical folding and thinner grey matter within the cortical folds than nursery-reared animals. The findings reported here are the first to demonstrate that differences in early rearing conditions have significant consequences on brain morphology in chimpanzees and suggests potential differences in the development of white matter expansion and myelination.

AB - Consequences of rearing history in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have been explored in relation to behavioral abnormalities and cognition; however, little is known about the effects of rearing conditions on anatomical brain development. Human studies have revealed that experiences of maltreatment and neglect during infancy and childhood can have detrimental effects on brain development and cognition. In this study, we evaluated the effects of early rearing experience on brain morphology in 92 captive chimpanzees (ages 11-43) who were either reared by their mothers (n = 46) or in a nursery (n = 46) with age-group peers. Magnetic resonance brain images were analyzed with a processing program (BrainVISA) that extracts cortical sulci. We obtained various measurements from 11 sulci located throughout the brain, as well as whole brain gyrification and white and grey matter volumes. We found that mother-reared chimpanzees have greater global white-to-grey matter volume, more cortical folding and thinner grey matter within the cortical folds than nursery-reared animals. The findings reported here are the first to demonstrate that differences in early rearing conditions have significant consequences on brain morphology in chimpanzees and suggests potential differences in the development of white matter expansion and myelination.

KW - Animals

KW - Behavior, Animal

KW - Brain

KW - Brain Mapping

KW - Female

KW - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

KW - Male

KW - Maternal Behavior

KW - Motor Skills

KW - Pan troglodytes

U2 - 10.1111/desc.12106

DO - 10.1111/desc.12106

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 24206013

SN - 1363-755X

VL - 17

SP - 161

EP - 174

JO - Developmental Science

JF - Developmental Science

IS - 2

ER -