Distinctive neurons of the anterior cingulate and frontoinsular cortex: a historical perspective

Cereb Cortex. 2012 Feb;22(2):245-50. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhr005. Epub 2011 Jun 8.

Abstract

Human anterior cingulate and frontoinsular cortices participate in healthy social-emotional processing. These regions feature 2 related layer 5 neuronal morphotypes, the von Economo neurons and fork cells. In this paper, we review the historical accounts of these neurons and provide a German-to-English translation of von Economo's seminal paper describing the neurons which have come to bear his name. We close with a brief discussion regarding the functional and clinical relevance of these neurons and their home regions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Frontal Lobe / cytology*
  • Gyrus Cinguli / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Neurons / physiology*