Nonrenewal of Neurons in the Cerebral Neocortex of Adult Macaque Monkeys

Abstract

The concept that, after developmental periods, neocortical neurons become numerically stable and are normally nonrenewable has been challenged by a report of continuous neurogenesis in the association areas of the cerebral cortex in the adult Macaque monkey. Therefore, we have reexamined this issue in two different Macaque species using the thymidine analog bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) as an indicator of DNA replication during cell division. We found several BrdU+/NeuN+ (neuronal nuclei) double-labeled cells, but cortical neurons, distinguished readily by their size and cytological and immunohistochemical properties, were not BrdU positive. We examined in detail the frontal cortex, where it is claimed that the largest daily addition of neurons has been made, but did not see migratory streams or any sign of addition of new neurons. Thus, we concluded that, in the normal condition, cortical neurons of adult primates, similar to other mammalian species, are neither supplemented nor renewable.