Evolution and Brain Computation
Evolution and Brain Computation
Approaching neural systems from an evolutionary perspective
Topics covered in this lesson
- Introduction: overview of the timeline of evolution.
- Origins of the brain's molecular machinery.
- Mechanistic implementation of basic building blocks in ancestors.
- Functional convergence.
- Biofilm communication in bacteria vs building blocks of the action potential.
- Cross-species comparison of likely parallel evolution of mechanisms and phenomena: looming, STDP, circuit computation, oscillatory dynamics, transient neural dynamics.
- The value of diverse model systems.
- Physical constraints and neural solutions: sound localization, with owls as a model organism.
- Role of distance and time difference in sound localization.
- Coincidence detection and delay lines.
- Precision and processing of signal time differences.
- Side peak suppression.
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