Functional and Comparative Neuroanatomy
Topic: Mapping the Body-Mind Interface
The brain evolved around the most primitive and vital energetic needs of the body. It is therefore not surprising that even our most sophisticated brain functions are directly shaped by the central integration of sensory afferent signals representing bodily states or interoception. In anthropoid primates, including humans and monkeys, a phylogenetically-novel pathway conveys these signals to to the insular cortex. In humans, the anterior insular cortex, which is disproportionately enlarged compared to other species, interfaces interoception with salient environmental cues, engendering emotional feelings and shaping cognitive processes, including perceptual awareness, fluid intelligence, and thoughts. Our group combines multiple experimental approaches to examine the anatomical and functional organization of the insular cortex and its network partners including the cingulate cortex.
Methods: From Genes to Circuits, to Behavior, to Translation
Our research strategy encompasses a comprehensive set of complimentary methods that will allow us to manipulate in fine (chemo-)genetically specific sets of neurons, brain circuits and bodily parameters during electrophysiological recording, functional neuroimaging, and behavior. Our group also uses translational/comparative examinations.
Trans-institutional group
Our group benefits from a unique trans-institutional and trans-national situation, with physical locations not only at the CIN but also at the C-BIN of the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (Orangeburg, NY, USA) and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (Tuebingen, Germany). Each location specializes in a different aspect of our projects. Very soon, we will open a new location at the International Center for Primate Brain Research (ICPBR) in Shanghai. We also have two very active collaborations, with the groups of Nenad Sestan at the Yale School of Medicine and of Wim Vanduffel at the University of Leuven.
Teaching Neuroanatomy at Tübingen’s GTC
Each year, we teach neuroanatomy to the master students of Graduate Training Center (GTC) and International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS). The course proposes an intense week of lectures and human brain dissections.
Selected publications
- The PRIMatE Data Exchange (PRIME-DE) Global Collaboration Workshop and Consortium (2020) Accelerating the evolution of nonhuman primate neuroimaging. Neuron in press.
- Evrard HC (2019) Organization of the primate insular cortex. Front Neuroanat. 13(43) 1-21.
- Evrard HC (2018) Von Economo and fork neurons in the monkey insula, implications for evolution of cognition. Curr Op Behav Sci 21: 182-190.
- Klein C, Evrard HC, Logothetis NK, Schmid M (2016) Cell-targeted optogenetics and electrical microstimulation reveal the primate koniocellular projection to supragranular visual cortex. Neuron 90: 143-151.
- Fischer DB, Boes A, Demertzi A, Evrard HC, Laureys S, Edlow B, Saper CB, Pascual-Leone A, Fox MD, Geerling J (2016) A human brain network derived from coma-causing brainstem lesions. Neurology 87(23) 2427–2434.
- Evrard HC, Logothetis NK, Craig AD (2014) Modular architectonic organization of the insula in the macaque monkey. J Comp Neurol 522(1) 64-97.
- Logothetis NK, Eschenko O, Murayama Y, Augath M, Steudel T, Evrard HC, Besserve, M, and Oeltermann A (2012) Hippocampal-neocortical interaction occurs during periods of subcortical activity suppression. Nature 491: 547–53.
- Evrard HC, Forro T, Logothetis NK (2012) Von Economo neurons in the anterior insula of the macaque monkey. Neuron 74(3) 482-489.
News
06.01.2020 - Anahit Amiri. Welcome to Anahit who will be doing a 1-month internship in our group in the context of the Tuebingen and Aix-Marseille CIVIS exchange program.
04.01.2020 - Co-author on a new brain atlas. Henry is working with world-renowned George Paxinos and Michael Petrides on the 4th edition of the Rhesus Monkey Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, becoming one of the three cover authors of this emblematic brain atlas. Release scheduled in 2020.
18.12.2019 - 4-year FWO grant (~600K) approved! This grant was written by henry to support our new experiments at the University of Leuven. We will soon be recruiting a dedicated electrophysiology postdoc.
01.11.2019 - Opening of our NKI group!
Group Leader and Further Information
Henry Evrard
Functional and Comparative Neuroanatomy
Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience
Otfried-Mueller-Str. 25
72076 Tübingen
Germany
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