AUTHOR=DeFelipe Javier 

TITLE=The Evolution of the Brain, the Human Nature of Cortical Circuits, and Intellectual Creativity

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroanatomy

VOLUME=5

YEAR=2011

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroanatomy/articles/10.3389/fnana.2011.00029

DOI=10.3389/fnana.2011.00029

ISSN=1662-5129

ABSTRACT=<p>The tremendous expansion and the differentiation of the neocortex constitute two major events in the evolution of the mammalian brain. The increase in size and complexity of our brains opened the way to a spectacular development of cognitive and mental skills. This expansion during evolution facilitated the addition of microcircuits with a similar basic structure, which increased the complexity of the human brain and contributed to its uniqueness. However, fundamental differences even exist between distinct mammalian species. Here, we shall discuss the issue of our humanity from a neurobiological and historical perspective.</p>