Muhammad Spocter, Ph.D.
From West Des Moines, IA
The mission of my lab is to embrace the diversity of mammalian brain architecture at all levels of analysis and to use this knowledge to help us better understand the emergence of the human brain and the biological basis for variation in brain function and disease liability.
The Evolving Brain Laboratory
Follow Muhammad
University of California: Santa Barbara
George Washington University
University of The Witwatersrand
-neurothreads.blogspot.com/2025/02/EXPLORING THE FRAMEWORK FOR LANGUAGE IN OUR CLOSEST RELATIVES
-neurothreads.blogspot.com/2025/02/UNLOCKING FOSSIL BRAINS: NEW INSIGHTS INTO EVOLUTIONARY NEUROANATOMY
-neurothreads.blogspot.com/2025/02/NEUROPIL AND CHILL: WHAT YOUR CAT'S BRAIN IS REALLY DOING AT 3 AM
-neurothreads.blogspot.com/2025/02/BRAIN FOLDING AND CANIDS: A LOOK AT THE TRNP1 GENE
-neurothreads.blogspot.com/2025/02/WAGS, WHISKERS, AND THE WONDERFUL CAUDATE
The Evolving Brain Lab would like to welcome DO Medical student Helen Thi Van to the lab! Helen will be working on the comparative histology of the canid brain
What a wonderful opportunity (and honor) to be part of a panel discussion celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology (CASHP) @ George Washington University!CASHP continues to be one of the foremost research centers dedicated to the study of human origins and primate biology. What a great legacy and continuing commitment to the study of human origins across the globe and the development of the next generation of evolutionary and paleobiologist from the African continent! The panel discussions were wonderful and the keynote by Zeray Alemseged was a hit! Here's to the next 25 years of unearthing the unique milestones of the human journey!!
Contribution to the departments professional and graduate programs - 3D modelling of the canid brain and design of instructional resources - ISU Medical Illustration program and ISU College of Veterinary medicine. Ongoing collaborative research on laterality in domestic artiodactyla.
Quantitative morphologist involved in project design and co-supervision of comparative neuroanatomy graduate students. Species investigated include members of the Cetartiodactyla, Afrotheria, Rodentia, Insectivora and Carnivora.
Principal investigator, collaborator and consultant in evolutionary neuroscience and techniques applicable to research in comparative neuroanatomy (e.g., stereology, quantitative MR and histology). Lecturer in Human Neuroanatomy (DO/DPM), Gross Anatomy (DO/DPM/DPT/PA), DPT Foundational Sciences Neuroanatomy, DMU. Program Director of the Anatomy Graduate Program.
The study of domestic species serves as a fertile testing ground to evaluate the neurobiological effect of strong artificial selection on the mammalian brain. Using a phylogenetically informed approach, this project combines imaging, molecular and histological approaches to look at species specific variation in the brains of domestic and wild type Carnivora and Euungulata. Central to these investigations are two broad projects: 1) Comparative 3D structural anatomy and allometry of cortical and subcortical structures; 2) Comparative histology, genetics and immunohistochemistry of cortical and subcortical structures. Our primary collaborators on this project include several researchers from across the globe including: Drs. Patrick Hof (Icahn School of Medicine, Mt. Sinai), Paul Manger (University of Witwatersrand), James Sacco (Drake University), Chet Sherwood (George Washington University), Mary Ann Raghanti (Kent State University), Clare Rusbridge (University of Surrey) and Rogier Mars (University of Oxford). This work has been funded in part by grants from the Carnegie Foundation, Des Moines University, Iowa Science Foundation and the Verizon Foundation.
Are you fascinated by questions about brain evolution and domestication?
Come to DMU and explore the mysteries of the brain by diving into graduate-level projects as a Masters or PhD student in comparative neuroanatomy! Unravel how brains evolve across species and contribute towards groundbreaking research that bridges biology, anthropology, psychology and evolution.
Your journey into the brain starts Here! Inquire directly with Dr. Spocter for a list of available graduate level projects! email: Muhammad.spocter@dmu.edu
Select publications emerging from this work:
Baer, E., Nguyen, P.D., Lilly, S., Song, J., Yee, M., Matz, O., Sahasrabudhe, R.,Hall, D.R., La, S., Merritt, B.J., Mahesh, P., Eliacin, C., Bitterman, K., Oddes, D., Bertelsen, M.F., Tang, C.Y., Cook, P.F., Mars, R.B., Hof, P.R., Dunn, R., Manger, P.R., Sherwood, C.C., & Spocter, M.A. (2025). Predictive methods and probabilistic mapping of subcortical brain components in fossil Carnivora. Journal of Comparative Neurology link
Boch, M., Karadachka, K., Kee Loh, K., Benn, R.A., Roumazeilles, L., Bertelsen, M.F., Manger, P.R., Wriggelsworth, E., Spiro, S., Spocter, M.A., Johnson, P., Souza, K., Patzke, N., Lamm, C., Sallet, J., Khrapitchev, A.A., Tendler, B.C., & Mars, R.B. (2024). Comparative neuroimaging of the Carnivoran brain: Cortical sulci. eLifelink
Foster, M., Dwibhashyam, S., Patel, D., Gupta, K., Matz, O.C., Billings, B.K., Bitterman, K., Bertelson, M., Tang, C.Y., Mars, R. B., Raghanti, M.R., How, P.R., Sherwood, C.C., Manger, P.R., & Spocter, M.A. (2024). Comparative anatomy of the caudate nucleus in canids and felids: Associations with brain size, curvature, cross-sectional properties and behavioral ecology. Journal of Comparative Neurology -link
Nelson, J., Woeste, E.M., Oba, K., Bitterman, K., Billings, B. K., Sacco, J., Jacobs, B., Sherwood, C.C., Manger, P.R., Spocter , M.A. (2024). Neuropil variation in the prefrontal, motor and visual cortex of six felids. Brain, Behavior and Evolution -link
Sacco, J., Starr, E., Weaver, A., Dietz, R., & Spocter , M.A. (2023). Resequencing of the TMF-1 (TATA Element Modulatory Factor) regulated protein (TRNP1) gene in domestic and wild canids. Canine Medicine & Genetics -link
Oddes, D., Ngwenya, A., Malungo, I. B., Burkevica, A., Hard, T., Bertelsen, M. F., Spocter, M.A., Scantlebury, DM., & Manger, P.R. (2023). Orexinergic neurons in the hypothalami of an Asiatic lion, an African lion and a Southeast African cheetah. Journal of Comparative Neurology link
Chengetania, S., Bhagwandin, A., Bertelson, M,F., Hard, T., Hof, P.R., Spocter, M.A & Manger, P.R. (2020).The brain of the African wild dog. II. The olfactory system. Journal of Comparative Neurology link
Chengetania, S., Bhagwandin, A., Bertelson, M, F., Hard, T., Hof, P.R., Spocter, M.A., & Manger, P.R (2020). The brain of the African wild dog. III. The auditory system. Journal of Comparative Neurology link
Chengetania, S., Bhagwandin, A., Bertelson, M, F., Hard, T., Hof, P.R., Spocter, M.A., & Manger, P.R (2020). The brain of the African wild dog. IV. The visual system. Journal of Comparative Neurology link
Grewal, J.S., Gloe, T., Hegedus, J., Bitterman, K., Billings, B., Chengetanai, S., Bentil, S., Ng, J., Wang, V., Tang, C.C., Geletta, S., Wicinski, B., Bertelson, M., Tendler, B.C., Mars, R., Aquirre, G.K., Rusbridge, C., Hof, P.R., Sherwood, C.C., Manger, P.R., & Spocter, M.A. (2020). Brain gyrification in wild and domestic canids: Has domestication changed the gyrification index in domestic dogs? Journal of Comparative Neurology -link
Chengetania, S., Tenley, J., Bertelson, M,F., Hard, T., Bhagwandin, A., Haagensen, M., Tang, C., Wicinski, B., Hof, P.R., Manger, P.R., & Spocter, M.A (2020). The brain of the African wild dog. I. Anatomy, architecture and volumetrics. Journal of Comparative Neurology -link
Spocter, M.A., Fairbanks, J., Locey, L., Nguyen, A., Bitterman, K., Dunn, R., Sherwood, C.C., Geletta, S., Dell, L.A., Patzke, N & Manger, P.R (2018). Neuropil distribution in the anterior cingulate and occipital cortex of artiodactyls. Anatomical Record (Hoboken), 301:1871–1881 -link
Spocter, M.A., Uddin, A., Ng, J., Wong, E., Wang, V.X., Tang, C., Wicinski, B., Haas, J., Bitterman, K., Raghanti, M.R.,Dunn, R., Hof, P.R., Sherwood, C.C., Jovanovik, J., Rusbridge, C., & Manger, P.R (2018). Scaling of the corpus callosum in wild and domestic canids: Insights into the domesticated brain. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 526(15):2341-2359 link
Despite the remarkable genetic similarities between humans and chimpanzees, human speech, language and cognitive capabilities far surpass that of our closest living relatives. By exploring the comparative 3D volumetrics and histology of homologous cortical areas across primates, this project aims to provide insight into the timing, mechanism and underlying neuroanatomical framework supporting the emergence of distinct human behaviors. This work involves the use of cytoarchitectural mapping and image analysis techniques such as 3D segmentation and machine learning applied to histological and MRI data. Central to these investigations are two broad projects:
1) 3D volumetric comparisons of Broca's and Wernicke's area homologs in chimpanzees and humans; 2) Histological studies aimed at describing and quantifying interspecific differences in cytoarchitecture of homologous cortical structures.
This collaborative work includes the expertise of Dr. Bill Hopkins (University of Texas, MD Cancer Center), Dr. Chet Sherwood (George Washington University) and Dr. Paul Manger (University of Witwatersrand) and is funded in part by grants from Des Moines University (IOER-R&G), Kemin Industries, Carnegie Foundation and the Iowa Science Foundation.
Do you want to learn more about how our brains differ from that of other primates?
Come to DMU and explore the mysteries of the primate brain and dive into graduate-level projects as a Masters or PhD student in comparative neuroanatomy. Help identify key structural differences and similarities in primate neural architecture and contribute towards groundbreaking research in comparative neuroanatomy.
Your journey into the evolutionary history of the primate brain starts Here! Inquire directly with Dr. Spocter for a list of available graduate level projects! email: Muhammad.spocter@dmu.edu
Malungo, I.B., Ngwenya, A., Bertelsen, M.F., Spocter, M.A., Thannickal T.C., Siegel, J.M., & Manger, P.R (2025). The complexly parcellated, yet quantitatively paradoxical, orexinergic/ hypocretinergic system of humans Journal of Comparative Neurology -link
Hopkins, W.D., Spocter, M.A., Mulholland, M.M., & Sherwood, C.C. (2025). Gray matter volume and asymmetry in Broca’s and Wernicke’s area homolog in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Using a probabilistic region of interest approach. NeuroImage -link
Swiegers, J., Bhagwandin, A., Maseko, B. C., Sherwood, C.C., Hard, T., Bertelsen, M. F., Spocter, M.A., Molnar, Z., & Manger, P.R. (2021). The distribution, number and certain neurochemical identities of infracortical white matter neurons in the brains of a southern lesser galago, a black-capped squirrel monkey and a crested macaque. Journal of Comparative Neurologylink
Spocter, M.A., Sherwood, C.C., Schapiro, S.J., & Hopkins, W.D. (2020). Reproducibility of Leftward Planum Temporale Asymmetries in Two Genetically Isolated Populations of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B. 287, 1934.link
Spocter, M.A., Raghanti, M.A., Butti, C., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. (2015). The Minicolumn in a Comparative Context. In: Casanova, M & Opris, I (eds.) Recent Advances on the Modular Organization of the Cortex. Springer Publishing. -link
Spocter, M.A., Hopkins, W.D., Barks, S.K., Bianchi, S., Stimpson, C.D., Fobbs, A.J., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. (2012). Neuropil distribution in the cerebral cortex differs between humans and chimpanzees. Journal of Comparative Neurology 520 (13), 2917-2929.-link
Sherwood, C.C., Raghanti, M.A., Stimpson, C.D., Spocter, M.A., Uddin, M., Boddy, A.M., Wildman, D.E., Bonar, C.J., Lewandowski, A.H., Phillips, K.A., Erwin, J.M., & Hof, P.R. 2010. Inhibitory interneurons of the human prefrontal cortex display conserved evolution of the phenotype and related genes. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B. 277, 1011-1020.-link
Spocter, M.A., Hopkins, W.D., Garrison, A.R., Bauerfeind, A., Stimpson, C.D., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2010. Wernicke’s area homologue in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and its relation to the appearance of modern human language. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B. 277, 2165-2174.-link
Schenker, N.M., Hopkins, W.D., Spocter, M.A., Garrison, A.R., Stimpson, C.D., Erwin, J.M., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2010. Broca’s area homologue in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): probabilistic mapping, asymmetry, and comparison to humans. Cerebral Cortex 20, 730-742. -link
Raghanti, M.A., Spocter, M.A., Butti, C., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2010. A comparative perspective on minicolumns and inhibitory GABAergic interneurons in the Neocortex. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy. 4, (3) 1-10.-link
Raghanti, M.A., Spocter, M.A., Stimpson, C.D., Erwin, J.M., Bonar, C.J., Allman, J.M., Hof, P.R., & Sherwood, C.C. 2009. Species specific distributions of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the prefrontal cortex of anthropoid primates. Neuroscience 158, 1551-9.link
Discoveries from an anatomy research lab at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences provide valuable insights into differences in brain structure and function and contribute to a deeper understanding of the brain's complexities across specie...
February, 24 2025 - Verified by Des Moines University
Discoveries from an anatomy research lab at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences provide valuable insights into differences in brain structure and function and contribute to a deeper understanding of the brain's complexities across specie...
February, 24 2025 - Verified by Des Moines University Faculty
2018-2023 Carnegie Wits Alumni Diaspora Fellowship Program. I -Mapping the brain of the African Painted Dog (Lycaon pictus) Preliminary MRI and volumetrics. II - A comprehensive description of the Somatomotor area; III - Histochemical description of the limbic system. Host Institution: University of Witwatersrand, Professor Paul Manger. Partner Institution: Des Moines University, Dr. Muhammad Spocter.
2018-19 Sub-award: M.A. Spocter. Iowa STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Award. Bridging the Gap Between Science and Start-up: Neuro-SMART -An innovative neuroscience program with a joint emphasis in science and business skills development Des Moines.
2017 Iowa Campus Compact, Engaged Campus Award: Honorable mention- Category: Civic Mission. In recognition of dedication to community engagement. 2016-21 Kemin Industries: Human Nutrition and Health Division. Neuro-SMART (Neurosciences Student Mentoring and Research Training) Program STEM Program for Des Moines High School Students. PI: M.A. Spocter.
2016-17 The Iowa Academy of Sciences Research Activity Support, Histological asymmetries in the amygdala of the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): Correlates with language areas and insights into neurodevelopmental disorders. PI: M.A. Spocter.
2014-15 Verizon Foundation Innovative Learning Grant: Brain Histology STEM Lab. Sub-award: M.A Spocter. PI: Kacia Cain (DMPS).
2014-15 The R&G IOER FAC Award, Des Moines University, Neuropil distribution in the Cetartiodactyls: From donkeys to dolphins, a walk through time and neuropil space. PI: M.A. Spocter.
2012-13 The Iowa Academy of Sciences Research Activity Support, Mans best friend and the neural substrate supporting social cognition in canids: Domestication, convergent evolution and insights into the emergence of human sociality. PI: M.A. Spocter.