ABSTRACT
In humans, morphologically distinctive 'von Economo neurons' (VENs) appear to play a significant role in mediating an integration ofsocial-visceral processes that is at the core of self-awareness and social perception. VENs are enormous, bipolar neurons largely restricted to the anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula in humans, important ‘social hubs’ in the brain. VENs likely enhance communication within neural circuitry involved in social perception, homeostatic awareness, and autonomic regulation. Comparative studies of VENs may illuminate convergent evolutionary patterns of social-visceral awareness among mammals. We review this evidence and offer alternate frameworks of interpretation that may be clarified by further research.
