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Evolution, development, and plasticity of the human brain: from molecules to bones
Branka Hrvoj-Mihic1, Thibault Bienvenu, Lisa Stefanacci
1Department of Anthropology, University of California at San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA ; Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine Stem Cell Program, University of California at San Diego, School of Medicine La Jolla, CA, USA.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|November 7, 2013
Summary
Human brain evolution reveals unique features in size, organization, and prolonged development compared to primates. These adaptations support complex cognition and learning, shaping our species' niche.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Biology
- Paleontology
Background:
- The human brain exhibits distinct neuroanatomical and organizational differences compared to other primates.
- These differences are crucial for complex cognition, social, and emotional processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine neuroanatomical, molecular, and paleontological evidence of human brain evolution.
- To understand the unique developmental patterns and functional specializations of the human brain.
Main Methods:
- Comparative neuroanatomy of extant humans and primates.
- Molecular analyses of gene expression patterns related to brain development.
- Paleontological insights from fossil hominin endocranial casts.
Main Results:
- Human brains show significant differences in size, organization, and functional lateralization.
- Prolonged maturation period in humans facilitates extensive learning and skill acquisition.
- Molecular data suggest heterochrony in gene expression, impacting neuronal development and plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Unique features of the human brain, including prolonged development and specialized gene expression, underpin our cognitive and behavioral niche.
- Integrating comparative neuroanatomy, molecular biology, and paleontology offers a comprehensive view of human brain evolution.
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