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An Australian neuroscientist has discovered a new region of the brain that has never been seen in well-researched laboratory animals.
The area now known as Endorestiform Nucleus was first identified about 30 years ago, but it has only recently been confirmed by researchers. The discovery was made possible by the latest staining and imaging techniques.
"There is nothing more pleasant for a neuroscientist than to discover a region of the human brain previously unknown. What is important is that this area is absent in monkeys and other animals. Beyond its size, the human brain must have unique characteristics, and this region is probably one of them. Professor George Paxinos of Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) suspected the existence of the endoregular nucleus in the brain, said in a statement.
The new region is located in the lower section of the cerebellum, near the brain-spinal junction, responsible for integrating sensory and motor information to correct our posture, balance and motor movements.
This discovery represents a revolutionary new understanding of brain function and suggests a potential target for the treatment of many diseases, including Parkinson's disease and motor neuron.
"Professor Paxinos' atlases illustrating the detailed morphology and connections of the human brain and spinal cord provide researchers with an essential framework for testing hypotheses ranging from synaptic function to treatments for brain diseases."
Humans have extraordinarily large brains that are over three times larger than our closest living relatives. Unsurprisingly, his behavior is also complex. If we better understand the behavior and interactions of the newly discovered region, we will know more about the effects it could have on human health.
"What remains to be done, is to determine the function of this newly discovered brain region," said George Paxinos. "Now that it has been mapped, it will be possible to study it by the wider research community."
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