The evolution of the brain refers to the progressive development and complexity of neural structures over millions of years, resulting in the diverse range of brain sizes and functions observed across different species today, particularly in vertebrates.

Here we provide a brief outline of major steps in the evolution of the human brain, an understanding that is rapidly expanding. fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) [17] and diffusion-tensor imaging [18].

By understanding how the human brain evolved, researchers hope to identify the biological basis of the behaviours that set humans apart from other animals – and were crucial for our survival …

Jul 1, 2013 · Across nearly seven million years, the human brain has tripled in size, with most of this growth occurring in the past two million years. Determining brain changes over time is tricky. We have...

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 ...

We employ a multidisciplinary approach to trace evolutionary changes in mind and brain from the LCA to modern Homo sapiens, incorporating evidence from comparative psychology, neuroscience, genetics, paleoanthropology, and linguistics.

Jul 6, 2017 · The lab recently found a gene involved in brain folding—thanks to a brain malformation called polymicrogyria—that may have enhanced our language ability. But such findings only scratch the surface of the cognitive, behavioral and cultural strides humans have made over the past 50,000 years.

This lecture explores the evolution, structure, and function of the human brain, emphasizing evolutionary and ecological perspectives. Key topics include the biological fitness of brains, hypotheses for brain evolution, scaling laws, and comparative …

Jan 3, 2024 · Human brain size evolved most rapidly during a time of dramatic climate change. Larger, more complex brains enabled early humans of this time period to interact with each other and with their surroundings in new and different ways.

Jun 19, 2024 · The evolution of the modern human brain was accompanied by distinct molecular and cellular specializations, which underpin our diverse cognitive abilities but also increase our susceptibility to...