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Abstract
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The complex behavioral repertoire of primates is supported by key neural adaptations, a prime example of which is the evolutionary expansion of the frontal lobe. In this talk, I will describe how we can use advanced neuroanatomical tracing techniques to reveal the evolutionary expansion of both motor and non-motor regions within the frontal cortex. I will further discuss how this cortical expansion is mirrored by corresponding growth in interconnected subcortical structures, such as the cerebellum and basal ganglia. These distributed neural networks not only support skilled motor actions but also facilitate the complex cognitive functions that characterize primate behavior. By tracing these neural circuits, we gain important insights into the neural basis of cognition and how evolutionary changes in brain architecture may enable the complex cognitive abilities of primates.
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