As a result of Karl Lashley’s work in the field of anatomy, neuroscientists now believe that the learned information encoded in 86 billion of the neurons found in a human brain are primarily stored in merely four small parts of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and cerebellum.
(A) 86 billion of the neurons found in a human brain are primarily stored in merely
The verb "are" is correct here because "neurons" is the subject and is plural. However, "merely" may not be the best choice of words here, and the phrase "86 billion of the neurons found in a human brain" is a bit awkward. I think, 'the learned information' refers to some specific information, and that should be present in 'specific 86 billion neurons' and not just any 86 billion neurons.
(eliminate)
(B) 86 billion of the human brain’s neurons are primarily stored in a mere
This option has the same verb agreement issue as option A, and "a mere" is awkward. Also, here also, I think we should be specific while talking abuot the 86 billion neurons. Same awkwardness in the phrase: "86 billion of the neurons", as in option A.
(eliminate)
(C) the 86 billion neurons found in human brains are primarily stored in merely
Not the best option, but let's keep for now. There are no grammatical errors.
(keep)
(D) the 86 billion neurons found in the human brain is primarily stored in a mere
This option incorrectly uses "is", which doesn't match with the plural subject "neurons".
(eliminate)
(E) 86 billion of the human brain’s neurons is primarily stored in merely
This option also incorrectly uses "is", which doesn't match with the plural subject "neurons".
(eliminate)
I think the best option among these is (C).
I will go with (C).