Newly Discovered Region of the Brain may be Unique to only Humans

Researchers from Oxford University have identified a part of the brain that may be unique to only humans. It's known as the lateral frontal pole prefrontal cortex, according to experimental psychologist at Oxford University Matthew Rushworth.

"We tend to think that being able to plan into the future, be flexible in our approach and learn from others are things that are particularly impressive about humans," he said, via a statement, according to Live Science. "We've identified an area of the brain that appears to be uniquely human, and is likely to have something to do with these cognitive powers."

The new region of the brain is located in the Broca's region, which plays a critical role in language. Differences of the ventrolateral frontal cortex have been linked to certain psychiatric disorders including compulsive problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

To study the brain, 25 people who were each 20 years old were tested with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, which mapped connections between different regions of the ventrolateral frontal cortex and divided the brain into 12 areas. This area of the brain was then compared to 25 rhesus macaque monkeys who had also undergone MRI scans.

The brains in the monkeys and humans were all very similar, except for the lateral frontal pole prefrontal cortex, which was found only in humans. Results also showed that the ventrolateral frontal cortex was better connected to auditory centers of the brain in humans--possibly to better facilitate communication.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Neuron.