Human Brain Evolution : The Influence of Freshwater and Marine Food Resources

by Editor: Stephen Cunnane; Editor: Kathlyn Stewart

• ISBN13: 9780470609873
• ISBN10: 0470609877
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-07-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

The evolution of the human brain and cognitive ability is one of the central themes of physical/biological anthropology. This book discusses the emergence of human cognition at a conceptual level, describing it as a process of long adaptive stasis interrupted by short periods of cognitive advance. These advances were not linear and directed, but were acquired indirectly as part of changing human behaviors, in other words through the process of exaptation (acquisition of a function for which it was not originally selected). Based on studies of the modem human brain, certain prerequisites were needed for the development of the early brain and associated cognitive advances. This book documents the energy and nutrient constraints of the modern brain, highlighting the significant role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in brain development and maintenance. Crawford provides further emphasis for the role of essential fatty acids, in particular DHA, in brain development, by discussing the evolution of the eye and neural systems.This is an ideal book for Graduate students, post docs, research scientists in Physical/Biological Anthropology, Human Biology, Archaeology, Nutrition, Cognitive Science, Neurosciences. It is also an excellent selection for a grad student discussion seminar.

Table of Contents

Foreword: Evolution, Encephalization, Environment

Introduction

Contributors

Macroevolutionary Patterns, Exaptation, And Emergence In The Evolution of The Human Brain and Cognition

Introduction

Natural Selection

Macroevolution

Patterns in Human Evolution

Symbolic Cognition

Exaptation and Emergence

Large Brains and Aquatic Resources

References

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Human Brain Evolution

Introduction - Lipids and Evolution

The Evolution of Complex Life Forms

The Language of Lipids

DHA

Evolution of Homo sapiens

DHA and Neural Pathways?

A Comment on AA

The Third Phase of Earth's Life History - AA and Reproduction in Mammals

Darwin and the Conditions of Existence

Implications

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Notes

References

Human Brain Evolution: A Question of Solving Key Nutritional and Metabolic Constraints on Mammalian Brain Development

Introduction

Brain Evolution in Hominins

Need for A New Paradigm

Brain Development

Energy Requirements of the Brain

Nutrients and Brain Function

Brain-Selective Nutrients

Critical Importance of Baby Fat in Humans

Gene - Nutrient Interactions

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Metabolic and Molecular Aspects of The Critical Role of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Human Brain Function

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Molecular Structure

DHA and Neural Function

Metabolic and Biophysical Considerations

Functional Importance of DHA in Retinal and Neural Membranes

Dietary Need for Preformed DHA

DHA Intake During Pregnancy and Lactation: Effects on Higher CNS Functions of the Mother and Infant

Summary

References

Lessons from Shorebased Hunter-Gatherer Diets in East Africa

Introduction

Our Genetic Background

Adaptation to the Conditions of Existence

Western Diets and the Human Genome

Brain-Selective Nutrients in Health and Disease

Dietary Fatty Acids at the Land-Water Interface

Tanzanian Breast Milk Fatty Acids Versus Western Recommendations

Estimated Fatty Acid Intakes from Shore-Based Paleolithic Diets

Conclusions

Notes

References

Appendix

Thyroid Hormone, Iodine and Human Brain Evolution

Introduction

Thyroid Hormone Metabolism and Function

Fetal Development

Antioxidant Activity of Iodine

Dietary Sources of Iodine

Iodine Defi ciency Disorders

Human Brain Evolution

Thyroid Hormone, Iodine, and Human Brain Evolution

Conclusion

References

Food for Thought: The Role of Coastlines and Aquatic Resources in Human Evolution

Introduction

Food for Thought

Human Nutrition and Physiology

Archaeological Evidence for the Antiquity of Fishing

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

Notes

References

The Case for Exploitation of Wetlands Environments and Foods By Pre-Sapiens Hominins

Introduction

Hominid Exploitation of Wetlands Environments and Resources

Early Hominins: Colonization of New Environments

Plio-Pleistocene Climate Instability and Use of Wetlands Resources

Intensifi cation of Wetlands Vegetation Exploitation

The Shift to High-Quality Foods

Preconditions for Encephalization

Precessional Forcing, Drying Lakes/Rivers, and Die-Offs of Aquatic Faunas

Mammal Meat: A Later Hominin Adaptation?

Postscript: H. heidelbergensis and H. sapiens

Summary

Acknowledgments

References

Brain Size in Carnivoran Mammals That Forage at The Land-Water Ecotone, with Implications for Robust Australopithecine Paleobiology

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgments

References

Coastal Diet, Encephalization, and Innovative Behaviors in The Late Middle Stone age of Southern Africa

Introduction

Changes

Climate Change

A New Narrative

References

Human Brain Evolution: A New Wetlands Scenario

Human Brain Evolution

Neurochemical and Nutritional Evidence

The Fossil Evidence

Plausibility, Prediction, and Parsimony

Salient Points

Conclusion

Reference

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.