The cerebral cortex is the crowning achievement of evolution and the biological substrate of human mental capacities. Using a comparative evolutionary developmental approach to the study of its origin helps to offer new insights into this complex and important problem. The comparison of immature stages reveals features of evolution that are otherwise obstructed by the complexity of the mature brain, and the analysis of development in terms of possible evolutionary events helps us to focus on the most biologically relevant mechanisms. In this book, leading experts in the fields of mammalian, reptilian, avian and amphibian brain development and from evolutionary biology, tackle the fundamental question of the origin of the cerebral cortex. The book includes critical examinations of methods used to study homology in the central nervous system and methods used in cladistic analysis. Recent data on the earliest generated transient cells in the mammalian, reptilian, avian and amphibian forebrain are discussed, as are possible homologies based on specific connectional analysis. The various hypotheses on the origin of the mammalian isocortex are discussed in detail and new results are presented on cortical organization in reptiles, birds, marsupials, monotremes and other species.

The Novartis Foundation is an international scientific and educational charity which promotes the study and general knowledge of science and in particular encourages international co-operation in scientific research.

Symposium on Evolutionary developmental biology of the cerebral cortex, held at the Novartis Foundation, London, 20-22 April 1999

This symposium is based on a proposal made

Zoltan Molnar

Gregory R. Bock

Gail Cardew

What is evolutionary developmental biology?

1

(14)

L. Wolpert

Discussion

9

(6)

Thoughts on the cerebellum as a model for cerebral cortical development and evolution

15

(15)

K. Herrup

Discussion

24

(6)

Radial unit hypothesis of neocortical expansion

30

(23)

P. Rakic

Discussion

42

(11)

General discussion I

46

(7)

Genetic control of regional identity in the developing vertebrate forebrain

53

(14)

E. Boncinelli

A. Mallamaci

L. Muzio

Discussion

61

(6)

Intrinsic and extrinsic control of cortical development

67

(16)

J. L. R. Rubenstein

Discussion

75

(8)

A hypothesis as to the organization of cerebral cortex in the common amniote ancestor of modern reptiles and mammals

83

(46)

A. J. Reiner

Discussion

102

(12)

General discussion II

109

(5)

Evolution of cortical lamination: the reelin/Dabl

I. Bar

A. M. Goffinet

Pathway

114

(11)

Discussion

125

(4)

The contribution of the ganglionic eminence to the neuronal cell types of the cerebral cortex

129

(19)

J. G. Parnavelas

S. A. Anderson

A. A. Lavdas

M. Grigoriou

V. Panchis

J. L. R. Rubenstein

Discussion

139

(9)

Conserved developmental algorithms during thalamocortical circuit formation in mammals and reptiles

148

(25)

Z. Molnar

Discussion

166

(7)

Regionalization of the cerebral cortex: developmental mechanisms and models

173

(15)

P. Levitt

K. L. Eagleson

Discussion

181

(7)

Organizing principles of sensory respresentations

188

(18)

J. H. kaas

Discussion

198

(8)

How does evolution build a complex brain?

206

(21)

L. A. Krubitzer

Discussion

220

(7)

Development plasticity: to preserve the individual or to create a new species?

227

(13)

E. Welker

Discussion

235

(5)

The relevance of visual perception to cortical evolution and development

240

(24)

D. Purves

S. M. Williams

R. B. Lotto

Discussion

254

(10)

Final Discussion

259

(5)

Index of contributors

264

(2)

Subject index

266

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