James R. Augustine, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
University Ombudsman

Postdoctoral Training:
University of Michigan & Université de Montréal
PhD: Univ. Alabama at Birmingham
MS: Saint Louis University Graduate School

Research Focus:

Coronal section of the adult rhesus monkey brain, Nissl stain. The region of our research interest is outlined in red. Pu, putamen; Cl, claustrum; Ins, insular cortex. Section 0958 from brainmaps.org

Dr. Augustine has recently completed a book on the human brain and spinal cord entitled Human Neuroanatomy published by Academic Press (2008). He also serves as the University Ombudsman.  Dr. Augustine has had a longstanding interest in the insular lobe in primates including humans. Functionally the insula is a multifaceted sensory and motor area; structurally the insula is intimately associated with the claustrum being separated from it by the fibers of the external capsule. Recent functional imaging studies have focused attention on the claustrum/insula region. Naghavi et al (2007) have observed that the claustrum/insula region is a multisensory integration (MSI) region that integrates conceptually related sounds and pictures. It is clear that these two anatomical neighbors – the claustrum and the insula are also linked with one another functionally.  The question we are seeking to answer is what might be the anatomical basis for this functional relationship?  What is the chemical neuroanatomy, neuroanatomical connectivity, and functional connectivity of the insular lobe and the claustrum? Is there some cellular similarity between these regions as well as some connectional relationships that underlies their multisensory integration activities?

Recent publications

• Augustine JR (2008) Human Neuroanatomy, Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-068251-255.
• Steinberg BA, Augustine JR (1997): Behavioral, anatomical, and physiological aspects of recovery of motor function following stroke. Brain Research Reviews 25:125-132.
• Augustine JR (1996): Circuitry and functional aspects of the insular lobe in primates including humans. Brain Research Reviews 22:229-244.
• McDonald AJ, Mascagni F, Augustine JR (1995): Neuropeptide Y and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the monkey amygdala. Neuroscience 66:959-982.
• Odor DL, Augustine JR (1995) Morphological study of changes in the baboon oviductal epithelium during the menstrual cycle. Microscopy Research and Technique 32:13-28.
• Augustine JR (1985) The insular lobe in primates including humans. Neurol Res 7:2-10.