Spindle-Shaped Neurons in the Human Posteromedial (Precuneus) Cortex.

The human posteromedial cortex (PMC), which includes the precuneus (PC), represents a multimodal brain area implicated in emotion, conscious awareness, spatial cognition, and social behavior. Here, we describe the presence of Nissl-stained elongated spindle-shaped neurons (suggestive of von Economo neurons, VENs) in the cortical layer V of the anterior and central PC of adult humans. The adapted "single-section" Golgi method for tissue was used to study these neurons close to pyramidal ones in layer V until merging with layer VI polymorphic cells.