Brain and Mind Evolution

The nervous system, particularly the brain, is the most complex and a wonderful structure. Its origins can be traced back to the earliest animals and it has become essential for complex living beings as it enables the coordinated functioning of the multiple cell types ensuring organisms’ adaptation and survival. Cell units, like neurons, communicate with each other at specialized junctions -the synapses- to form circuits which allow the transfer of information from incoming or self-generated signals. The developed neural circuits also sub-serve the selection, command, and coordination of appropriate behaviors, according to the afferences and previous experience, to adapt to ever-changing environmental and internal circumstances. Understanding how the human brain evolved to its present complex state is a fascinating topic for neuroscience, engineering, genetics, bioinformatics and comparative biology. The impact of the increase in the neuronal numbers, connectivity, and brain regions specialization on the emergence of associative cognitive repertoires is believed to be a key to the success of animals. In contrast, artificial intelligence is designed to carry on computations using data provided by human users. Every animal brain is distinct from others since it allows the display of behavioral repertoires that enable their adaptation to their habitat. Thus, conserved, divergent and convergent evolutionary mechanisms account for a myriad of anatomical, circuitry and functional solutions observed across species. We extend the scope of this Research Topic to Artificial Intelligence, since these evolutionary adaptations represent an opportunity for optimization and development of new AI technologies, especially in relation to the neural network and deep learning structural parameters.

The aim of this Brain and Mind Evolution Research Topic is to gather contributions from specialists of a wide array of disciplines enriching the evolutionary neuroscience approach such as paleontology, anthropology, psychology, psychiatry, mathematics, biophysics, engineer, ethics, philosophy and art. We expect to improve the nervous system understanding as the source of cognitive functions, a panoply of brain emergent properties including consciousness that enable the creation of an inner world, inner representations of the environment and the own individual as well as culture including science, technology and Artificial Intelligence.

We welcome authors to submit articles focused on the evolution of the brain, from its origins to the varied structural and functional organization achieved in the various animal radiations, including humans. We also welcome manuscripts addressing the principles and molecular mechanisms that govern anatomical-functional brain evolution, and the emergence and evolution of its most outstanding properties, particularly mind and consciousness across all animals.

Picutre Credit: Self Reflected - detail of the cerebellum - 2014-2016 -Greg Dunn and Brian Edwards.