Human Brain Evolution

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.

Auteur

Stephen C. Cunnane, Ph.D., holds the Canada Research Chair in Brain Metabolism and Aging and is the Director of the Research Centre on Aging at Sherbrooke University Geriatric Institute. He sits on the editorial boards of iiuinerous journals, including Nutrition, British Journal of Nutrition and Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine.

Kathlyn M. Stewart, Ph.D. is a Research Scientist in Paleobiology and former Head of Paleobiology at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Specializing in environmental change and human adaptation, she has extensive field experience in Africa.

Résumé
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.

Contenu

Foreword: Evolution, Encephalization, Environment vii
Phillip V. Tobias

Introduction xiii
Kathlyn M. Stewart and Stephen C. Cunnane

Contributors xix

Chapter 1 Macroevolutionary Patterns, Exaptation, and Emergence in the Evolution of the Human Brain and Cognition 1
*Ian Tattersall*

Introduction 1

Natural Selection 1

Macroevolution 2

Patterns in Human Evolution 3

Symbolic Cognition 5

Exaptation and Emergence 8

Large Brains and Aquatic Resources 9

References 10

Chapter 2 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Human Brain Evolution 13
*Michael A. Crawford*

Introduction Lipids and Evolution 13

The Evolution of Complex Life Forms 14

The Language of Lipids 15

DHA 17

Evolution of Homo sapiens 20

DHA and Neural Pathways? 22

A Comment on AA 24

The Third Phase of Earth's Life History AA and Reproduction in Mammals 25

Darwin and the Conditions of Existence 26

Implications 27

Conclusion 28

Acknowledgments 28

Notes 28

References 28

Chapter 3 Human Brain Evolution: A Question of Solving Key Nutritional and Metabolic Constraints On Mammalian Brain Development 33
*Stephen C. Cunnane*

Introduction 33

Brain Evolution in Hominins 35

Need for a New Paradigm 38

Brain Development 40

Energy Requirements of the Brain 41

Nutrients and Brain Function 44

Brain-Selective Nutrients 46

Critical Importance of Baby Fat in Humans 52

Gene Nutrient Interactions 57

Conclusions 59

Acknowledgments 61

References 61

Chapter 4 Metabolic and Molecular Aspects of the Critical Role of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Human Brain Function 65
*J. Thomas Brenna*

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Molecular Structure 65

DHA and Neural Function 66

Metabolic and Biophysical Considerations 68

Functional Importance of DHA in Retinal and Neural Membranes 70

Dietary Need for Preformed DHA 71

DHA Intake During Pregnancy and Lactation: Effects on Higher CNS Functions of the Mother and Infant 73

Summary 74

References 74

Chapter 5 Lessons From Shorebased Hunter-Gatherer Diets Iin East Africa 77
*Frits A.J. Muskiet and Remko S. Kuipers*

Introduction 77

Our Genetic Background 78

Adaptation to the Conditions of Existence 79

Western Diets and the Human Genome 81

Brain-Selective Nutrients in Health and Disease 83

Dietary Fatty Acids at the LandWater Interface 84

Tanzanian Breast Milk Fatty Acids Versus Western Recommendations 89

Estimated Fatty Acid Intakes from Shore-Based Paleolithic Diets 93

Conclusions 96

Notes 97

References 97

Appendix 103

Chapter 6 Thyroid Hormone, Iodine and Human Brain Evolution 105
*Sebastiano Venturi and Michel E. Bégin*

Introduction 105

Thyroid Hormone Metabolism and Function 105

Fetal Development 108

Antioxidant Activity of Iodine 108

Dietary Sources of Iodine 110

Iodine Defi ciency Disorders 111

Human Brain Evolution 113

Thyroid Hormone, Iodine, and Human Brain Evolution 117

Conclusion 118

References 119

Chapter 7 Food For Thought: The Role of Coastlines and Aquatic Resources in Human Evolution 125
*Jon M. Erlandson*

Introduction 125

Food for Thought 126

Human Nutrition and Physiology 127

Archaeological Evidence for the Antiquity of Fishing 128

Conclusions 132 Acknowledgments 133&lt...