scholarly journals Preliminary notes on brain weight variation across labrid fish species with different levels of cooperative behaviour

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta C. Soares ◽  
Gonçalo I. André ◽  
José R. Paula
Keyword(s):  
Brain Size ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Labrid Fish

Abstract Brain size and weight vary tremendously in the animal kingdom. It has been suggested that brain structural development must evolve balanced between the advantages of dealing with greater social challenges and the energetic costs of maintaining and developing larger brains. Here we ask if interspecific differences in cooperative behaviour (i.e. cleaning behaviour) are related to brain weight variations in four close-related species of Labrid fish: two are obligatory cleanerfish throughout their entire life (Labroides dimidiatusand L. bicolor), one facultative cleaner fish Labropsis australisand one last species that never engage in cleaning Labrichthys unilineatus. We first search for the link between the rate of species’ cooperation and its relative brain weight, and finally, if the degree of social complexity and cooperation are reflected in the weight of its major brain substructures. Overall, no differences were found in relative brain weight (in relation to body weight) across species. Fine-scale differences were solely demonstrated for the facultative cleaner L. australis, at the brainstem level. Furthermore, data visual examination indicates that the average cerebellum and brainstem weights appear to be larger for L. dimidiatus. Because variation was solely found at specific brain areas (such as cerebellum and brainstem) and not for the whole brain weight values, it suggests that species social-ecological and cognitive demands may be directly contributing to a selective investment in relevant brain areas. This study provides first preliminary evidence that links potential differences in cognitive ability in cooperative behaviour to how these may mediate the evolution of brain structural development in non-mammal vertebrate groups.

scholarly journals Pain-Related Brain Connectivity Changes in Migraine: A Narrative Review and Proof of Concept about Possible Novel Treatments Interference

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Marina de Tommaso ◽  
Eleonora Vecchio ◽  
Silvia Giovanna Quitadamo ◽  
Gianluca Coppola ◽  
Antonio Di Renzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular System ◽  
Brain Connectivity ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Brain Dysfunction ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Neuronal Dysfunction ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Neuroimaging Techniques

A neuronal dysfunction based on the imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory cortical-subcortical neurotransmission seems at the basis of migraine. Intercritical neuronal abnormal excitability can culminate in the bioelectrical phenomenon of Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) with secondary involvement of the vascular system and release of inflammatory mediators, modulating in turn neuronal activity. Neuronal dysfunction encompasses the altered connectivity between the brain areas implicated in the genesis, maintenance and chronic evolution of migraine. Advanced neuroimaging techniques allow to identify changes in functional connectivity (FC) between brain areas involved in pain processes. Through a narrative review, we re-searched case-control studies on FC in migraine, between 2015 and 2020, by inserting the words migraine, fMRI, EEG, MEG, connectivity, pain in Pubmed. Studies on FC have shown that cortical processes, in the neurolimbic pain network, are likely to be prevalent for triggering attacks, in response to predisposing factors, and that these lead to a demodulation of the subcortical areas, at the basis of migraine maintenance. The link between brain dysfunction and peripheral interactions through the inhibition of CGRP, the main mediator of sterile migraine inflammation needs to be further investigated. Preliminary evidence could suggest that peripheral nerves inference at somatic and trigeminal levels, appears to change brain FC.

On the anatomic relation of choroid plexus to brain: a comparative study

1980 ◽  
Vol 238 (1) ◽  
pp. R76-R81 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. Cserr ◽  
M. Bundgaard ◽  
J. K. Ashby ◽  
M. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Choroid Plexus ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Ventricular Volume ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Air Breathing ◽  
Original Proposal ◽  
Adaptive Value ◽  
Choroid Plexuses ◽  
The Brain

The size of choroid plexuses and cerebral ventricles relative to brain varies widely among vertebrates. The functional significance of this variability has attracted little attention since Herrick's original proposal that large choroid plexuses might enhance oxygen delivery to the brain and therefore be of adaptive value in the transition of vertebrates from water to air breathing. We compared choroid plexus and brain weight or ventricular and brain volume in 40 species from nine vertebrate groups. Both choroid plexus weight and ventricular volume were unrelated to brain size. Plexus weight ranged from 0 to 5.2% of brain weight and ventricular volume from 0.9 to 132% of brain volume. Amid this diversity the dipnoans, chondrosteans, holosteans, amphibians, and crossopterygian examined in this study are exceptional in uniformly having large plexuses. The adaptive significance of large choroid plexuses may lie in the presence of specific homeostatic mechanisms and their role in the response to the increases in PCO2 that accompany the transition to air breathing.

Some Behavioral Differences in Mice Genetically Selected for High and Low Brain Weight

1966 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Wimer ◽  
Lee Prater
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Water Maze ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Total Brain ◽  
High Selection

Learning ability, exploratory behavior, and emotionality were measured in mice genetically selected for high and low total brain weight. The high selection lines scored significantly higher than the low lines in locomotor activity in the open field and discrimination learning performance in a water maze, and these findings were supported by correlations between brain weight and behavioral scores within unselected control lines. There is some evidence that these behavioral differences are associated with general changes in brain size produced by genetic selection.

scholarly journals Brain Size of the African Grasscutter (Thryonomys Swinderianus, Temminck, 1827) at Defined Postnatal Periods

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Ibe ◽  
S. O. Salami ◽  
N. Wanmi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Thryonomys Swinderianus ◽  
Physiological Studies ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Brain

Abstract As a sequel to the current advancement in ethology, this study was designed to provide information on the brain size of the African grasscutter at specific postnatal periods and to extrapolate these findings to the behaviour of the rodent in its natural habitat. Brain samples were extracted from African grasscutter neonates on postnatal day 6, juveniles on postnatal day 72 and adults on postnatal day 450 by basic neuro-anatomical techniques. The weight, volume and dimensions of the brain samples were determined in absolute and relative terms. Their encephalisation quotient was also computed. There was a very strong positive correlation between nose-rump length and brain length in the neonates. The relative brain weight of neonates, juveniles and adults were 3.84 ± 0.12 %, 2.49 ± 0.07 % and 0.44 ± 0.03 %, respectively. The differences were significant (P < 0.05). The encephalisation quotient of juveniles was 1.62 ± 0.03 while that of the adult was 0.49 ± 0.02. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). The results were extrapolated to the animal’s cognitive ability, and compared with other rodents. It was concluded that the juvenile African grasscutter may have higher cognitive ability than the adult rodent, thus, juveniles should be preferred in physiological studies of memory and cognition.

Synthesis

2019 ◽  
pp. 423-472
Author(s):  
Georg F. Striedter ◽  
R. Glenn Northcutt
Keyword(s):  
Functional Organization ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Nervous Systems ◽  
Internal Organization ◽  
Vertebrate Brain ◽  
Relative Brain Size

After summarizing the earlier chapters, which focused on the evolution of specific lineages, this chapter examines general patterns in the evolution of vertebrate nervous systems. Most conspicuous is that relative brain size and complexity increased independently in many lineages. The proportional size of individual brain regions tends to change predictably with absolute brain size (and neurogenesis timing), but the scaling rules vary across lineages. Attempts to link variation in the size of individual brain areas (or entire brains) to behavior are complicated in part because the connections, internal organization, and functions of individual brain regions also vary across phylogeny. In addition, major changes in the functional organization of vertebrate brains were caused by the emergence of novel brain regions (e.g., neocortex in mammals and area dorsalis centralis in teleosts) and novel circuits. These innovations significantly modified the “vertebrate brain Bauplan,” but their mechanistic origins and implications require further investigation.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of brain in relation to the body length and weight of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in captive (hatchery) and wild (river system) populations

2022 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Khan ◽  
M. I. Khan ◽  
S. Hussain ◽  
Z. Masood ◽  
M. Shadman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Carp ◽  
Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
River System ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Fish Samples ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Cyprinus carpio is the member of family cyprinidae commonly called common carp. This study was aimed to find out the comparison of brain of wild (river system) and captive (hatchery reared) population of common carp. A total of thirty samples (15 from hatchery and 15 from river Swat) were collected. All the specimens were examined in Laboratory of Parasitoloy, Zoology Department, University of Malakand. Findings indicated that wild population were greater in brain size and weight as compared to hatchery reared population. The fish samples collected from captive environment (hatchery) were showing more weight and length as compared to wild population of common carps. The mean value of total weight of hatchery fishes 345±48.68 and the mean value of brain weight of hatchery reared fishes 0.28±0.047. The mean value of wild fish’s total body weight 195.16±52.58 and the mean value of brain weight of wild fishes are 0.45±0.14. Present research calls for the fact that fish in dependent environmental conditions possess brain larger in size as compared to its captive population, it is due to use and disuse of brain in their environmental requirements.

Effects of Retinal Degeneration and Brain Size upon Spatial Reversal Learning in Mice

1973 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 947-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Fuller ◽  
Susan Brady-Wood ◽  
Merrill F. Elias
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Degeneration ◽  
Reversal Learning ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Spatial Discrimination ◽  
High Brain ◽  
Spatial Reversal ◽  
Initial Learning

Mice selected for high brain weight were superior to unselected controls in initial and reversal learning of a spatial discrimination in a water T-maze. Mice selected for low brain weight were superior to controls on initial learning but not on reversals. The presence of retinal degeneration in the low line and in some controls was not an important factor in performance in this maze.

scholarly journals Individual differences in sensitivity to the early environment as a function of amygdala and hippocampus volumes: An exploratory analysis in 12-year-old boys

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Michael Pluess ◽  
Stephane A. De Brito ◽  
Alice Jones Bartoli ◽  
Eamon McCrory ◽  
Essi Viding
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Early Environment ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Total Brain ◽  
Amygdala Volume ◽  
Positive Experiences

Abstract Children differ in their response to environmental exposures, with some being more sensitive to contextual factors than others. According to theory, such variability is the result of individual differences in neurobiological sensitivity to environmental features, with some individuals generally more affected by both negative and/or positive experiences. In this exploratory study we tested whether left and right amygdala and hippocampus volumes (corrected for total brain size) account for individual differences in response to environmental influences in a sample of 62 boys. Cumulative general environmental quality, ranging from low to high, was measured across the first 9 years and child behavior was reported by teachers when boys were 12–13 years old. According to analyses, only the left amygdala volume – not any of the other brain volumes – emerged as an important brain region for sensitivity to positive environmental aspects. Boys with a larger left amygdala benefited significantly more from higher environmental quality than boys with a smaller left amygdala whilst not being more vulnerable to lower quality. Besides providing preliminary evidence for differences in environmental sensitivity due to brain structure, the results also point to the left amygdala as having a specific role regarding the response to environmental influences.

scholarly journals Evolutionary advantages of turning points in human cooperative behaviour

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246278
Author(s):  
Daniele Vilone ◽  
John Realpe-Gómez ◽  
Giulia Andrighetto
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Cooperative Groups ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Free Riders ◽  
Theoretical Evidence

Cooperation is crucial to overcome some of the most pressing social challenges of our times, such as the spreading of infectious diseases, corruption and environmental conservation. Yet, how cooperation emerges and persists is still a puzzle for social scientists. Since human cooperation is individually costly, cooperative attitudes should have been eliminated by natural selection in favour of selfishness. Yet, cooperation is common in human societies, so there must be some features which make it evolutionarily advantageous. Using a cognitive inspired model of human cooperation, recent work Realpe-Gómez (2018) has reported signatures of criticality in human cooperative groups. Theoretical evidence suggests that being poised at a critical point provides evolutionary advantages to groups by enhancing responsiveness of these systems to external attacks. After showing that signatures of criticality can be detected in human cooperative groups composed by Moody Conditional Cooperators, in this work we show that being poised close to a turning point enhances the fitness and make individuals more resistant to invasions by free riders.

Supplementary Report: Behavioral Differences in Mice Genetically Selected for Brain Weight

1969 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Wimer ◽  
T. H. Roderick ◽  
R. E. Wimer
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Brightness Discrimination ◽  
Avoidance Performance ◽  
Brain Weight ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Learning Tasks ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Supplementary Report

Locomotor activity and performance on several different learning tasks were measured in mice genetically selected for high brain weight and in unselected control lines. Brain size was found to be positively related to locomotor activity in an open field and to performance on brightness discrimination-learning and active avoidance tasks and negatively related to passive avoidance performance. The results provide support for the findings of a previous study on these animals and add further information on the nature of the brain size and behavior relationship.

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