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Neural reuse in the evolution and development of the brain: Evidence for developmental homology?
| Citations: | 2 - 1 self |
BibTeX
@MISC{Anderson_neuralreuse,
author = {Michael L. Anderson and Marcie Penner-wilger},
title = {Neural reuse in the evolution and development of the brain: Evidence for developmental homology?},
year = {}
}
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Abstract
Abstract: This paper lays out some of the empirical evidence for the importance of neural reuse—the reuse of existing (inherited and/or early-developing) neural circuitry for multiple behavioral purposes—in defining the overall functional structure of the brain. We then discuss in some detail one particular instance of such reuse: the involvement of a local neural circuit in finger awareness, number representation, and other diverse functions. Finally, we consider whether and how the notion of a developmental homology can help us understand the relationships between the cognitive functions that develop out of shared neural supports. How are neural resources deployed to support cognitive functioning in the adult organism, and how does that architecture come about? That is, what evolutionary and developmental pathways does the brain follow in acquiring its repertoire of capacities? Consider two possible options, one that has been largely identified with the embodied/embedded school of cognitive science, and another associated with evolutionary psychology. A long-standing guiding principle of both embodied cognitive science (ECS) and evolutionary psychology (EvoPsy) is that cognition was built within a system primarily fitted to situated action. The central nervous system—the neocortex most definitely included—is first and
Keyphrases
neural reuse developmental homology evolutionary psychology cognitive functioning adult organism possible option cognitive science local neural circuit developmental pathway number representation empirical evidence diverse function central nervous system brain follow cognitive function finger awareness neural resource long-standing guiding principle multiple behavioral purpose overall functional structure neural circuitry particular instance embedded school shared neural support embodied cognitive science
