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Modelling the effects of short and random proto-neural elongations
Oltman O de Wiljes1,2, R A J van Elburg3, Fred A Keijzer4,2
1Department of Theoretical Philosophy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands o.o.de.wiljes@rug.nl.
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
|October 27, 2017
Summary
The evolution of nervous systems may have begun with simple, short neural elongations that coordinated activity in early multicellular organisms. This internal coordination model offers a gradual evolutionary path for the first neurons and nervous systems.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Neuroscience
- Computational biology
Background:
- Understanding the origin of neurons and nervous systems is crucial for evolutionary studies.
- Two main theories exist: input-output (IO) models and internal coordination (IC) models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of simple, short neural elongations in the early evolution of nervous systems.
- To computationally model how these elongations could facilitate internal coordination.
Main Methods:
- Computational study simulating neural elongations in an excitable epithelium.
- Analysis of how elongations affect activity patterning in multicellular configurations.
Main Results:
- Short, random neural elongations can enhance activity patterning in multicellular bodies.
- This patterning capability scales with body size, supporting larger configurations.
Conclusions:
- Early neural elongations may have primarily served internal coordination rather than direct input-output functions.
- This supports a more gradual evolutionary pathway for the emergence of neurons and nervous systems.
Keywords:
computational modellingearly nervous systemsinternal coordinationnervous system evolutionneural elongations
