Introducing the brain: ancient genes for learning and memory (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, July 17, 2023, 17:14 (285 days ago) @ David Turell

Estimated 650 million years old:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230714114804.htm

"A team of scientists led by researchers from the University of Leicester have discovered that the genes required for learning, memory, aggression and other complex behaviours originated around 650 million years ago.

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"Dr Feuda said: "We've known for a long time that monoamines like serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline act as neuromodulators in the nervous system, playing a role in complex behaviour and functions like learning and memory, as well as processes such as sleep and feeding.

"However, less certain was the origin of the genes required for the production, detection, and degradation of these monoamines. Using the computational methods, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of these genes and show that most of the genes involved in monoamine production, modulation, and reception originated in the bilaterian stem group. (my bold)

"'This finding has profound implications on the evolutionary origin of complex behaviours such as those modulated by monoamines we observe in humans and other animals."

"The authors suggest that this new way to modulate neuronal circuits might have played a role in the Cambrian Explosion -- known as the Big Bang -- which gave rise to the largest diversification of life for most major animal groups alive today by providing flexibility of the neural circuits to facilitate the interaction with the environment."

Comment: this fits exactly with my earlier point that the Cambrian Gap is bridged by biochemistry in the Ediacaran. The gap is only phenotypical.