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

by Stephen Cunnane (Editor)

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.

Genres: Biology

236 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2010

Reviews

[Julien Comardelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5, 10/10, one of the most impactful books I've read, period.

Cunnane and Stewart have assembled a truly incredible collection of articles that was the perfect collection for me to discover as I struggled with questions regarding the role of exogenous thyroid hormone consumption and human health and development(evolution). While I part with the authors about polyunsaturated fatty acids, I cannot deny the enormous role of omega-3, DHA in particular, in brain development, especially in light of its role in the uptake of thyroid hormone in the brain, something I learned from this book!

So much about early human life, ecosystems, and pathways forward in my personal research clicked for me whilst reading this book. I read a pdf, but I would like a hardcover copy, one day.