A theory of sulcal-gap signalization.
Two sulcal-gap signalization systems are hypothesized to have evolved as emergent functional "exaptations" having the capacity to transmit two-way cortex-to-cortex signals across tissues embedded in opposing sulcal banks. Hypothesis 1 posits that a primary sulcal-gap signalization system evolved the capacity to transmit nonlanguage signals within hierarchically lower-order sensory, motor, and perceptual functional areas of the neocortex having elemental functional units consisting of columns of about 110 neurons. Hypothesis 2 posits that a secondary sulcal-gap signalization system evolved the capacity to transmit language signals within hierarchically higher-order cognitive functional areas of the "neo-neocortex" having elemental functional units consisting of modules of about 4,000 neurons. Neuroanatomical, neurophysiological neuroevolutionary, and neurodevelopmental evidence is presented in support of these two sulcal-gap hypotheses. It is speculated that the combined cognitive capacities of these two sulcal-gap signalization systems may contribute to the transduction of physiological brain into psychological mind.
Montare
Alberto
A
Human Learning Laboratory, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA. montarea@wpunj.edu
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001931:Brain Mapping; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D019579:Neocortex / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*