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

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Stephanie L. Bogart, Georgia State University; Allyson J. Bennett, University of Wisconsin; Steven J. Schapiro, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Lisa A. Reamer, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; William Hopkins, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-03-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/desc.12106
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Developmental Science
• ISSN: 1363-755X
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 161
• End Page: 174
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported by NIH grants MH-84980, NS-42867, NS-73134, HD-56232 and HD-60563; and Cooperative Agreement RR-15090.
• Keywords: Behavior, Animal; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Maternal Behavior; Animals; Motor Skills; Brain Mapping; Brain; Pan troglodytes; Female; Male
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience; Biology, Zoology; Psychology, Behavioral

Abstract

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.