Review article
Plausible Mechanisms for Brain Structural and Size Changes in Human Evolution
Vladimír Blažek
Jaroslav Brůžek
Manuel F. Casanova
Abstract
Encephalization has many contexts and implications. On one hand, it is concerned with the transformation of eating
habits, social relationships and communication, cognitive skills and the mind. Along with the increase in brain size on
the other hand, encephalization is connected with the creation of more complex brain structures, namely in the cerebral
cortex. It is imperative to inquire into the mechanisms which are linked with brain growth and to find out which of these
mechanisms allow it and determine it. There exist a number of theories for understanding human brain evolution which
originate from neurological sciences. These theories are the concept of radial units, minicolumns, mirror neurons, and
neurocognitive networks. Over the course of evolution, it is evident that a whole range of changes have taken place in regards
to heredity. These changes include new mutations of genes in the microcephalin complex, gene duplications, gene
co-expression, and genomic imprinting. This complex study of the growth and reorganization of the brain and the functioning
of hereditary factors and their external influences creates an opportunity to consider the implications of cultural
evolution and cognitive faculties.
Keywords
encephalization; brain evolution; radial glia units; minicolumns; mirror neurons; neurocognitive networks; microcephalin complex; genes co-expression; genomic imprinting
Hrčak ID:
72206
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2011.
Visits: 1.177 *