TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolutionary origin of alpha rhythms in vertebrates
AU - Shibata, Takashi
AU - Hattori, Noriaki
AU - Nishijo, Hisao
AU - Kuroda, Satoshi
AU - Takakusaki, Kaoru
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 Shibata, Hattori, Nishijo, Kuroda and Takakusaki.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - The purpose of this review extends beyond the traditional triune brain model, aiming to elucidate the evolutionary aspects of alpha rhythms in vertebrates. The forebrain, comprising the telencephalon (pallium) and diencephalon (thalamus, hypothalamus), is a common feature in the brains of all vertebrates. In mammals, evolution has prioritized the development of the forebrain, especially the neocortex, over the midbrain (mesencephalon) optic tectum, which serves as the prototype for the visual brain. This evolution enables mammals to process visual information in the retina-thalamus (lateral geniculate nucleus)-occipital cortex pathway. The origin of posterior-dominant alpha rhythms observed in mammals in quiet and dark environments is not solely attributed to cholinergic pontine nuclei cells functioning as a 10 Hz pacemaker in the brainstem. It also involves the ability of the neocortex’s cortical layers to generate traveling waves of alpha rhythms with waxing and waning characteristics. The utilization of alpha rhythms might have facilitated the shift of attention from external visual inputs to internal cognitive processes as an adaptation to thrive in dark environments. The evolution of alpha rhythms might trace back to the dinosaur era, suggesting that enhanced cortical connectivity linked to alpha bands could have facilitated the development of nocturnal awakening in the ancestors of mammals. In fishes, reptiles, and birds, the pallium lacks a cortical layer. However, there is a lack of research clearly observing dominant alpha rhythms in the pallium or organized nuclear structures in fishes, reptiles, or birds. Through convergent evolution, the pallium of birds, which exhibits cortex-like fiber architecture, has not only acquired advanced cognitive and motor abilities but also the capability to generate low-frequency oscillations (4-25 Hz) resembling alpha rhythms. This suggests that the origins of alpha rhythms might lie in the pallium of a common ancestor of birds and mammals.
AB - The purpose of this review extends beyond the traditional triune brain model, aiming to elucidate the evolutionary aspects of alpha rhythms in vertebrates. The forebrain, comprising the telencephalon (pallium) and diencephalon (thalamus, hypothalamus), is a common feature in the brains of all vertebrates. In mammals, evolution has prioritized the development of the forebrain, especially the neocortex, over the midbrain (mesencephalon) optic tectum, which serves as the prototype for the visual brain. This evolution enables mammals to process visual information in the retina-thalamus (lateral geniculate nucleus)-occipital cortex pathway. The origin of posterior-dominant alpha rhythms observed in mammals in quiet and dark environments is not solely attributed to cholinergic pontine nuclei cells functioning as a 10 Hz pacemaker in the brainstem. It also involves the ability of the neocortex’s cortical layers to generate traveling waves of alpha rhythms with waxing and waning characteristics. The utilization of alpha rhythms might have facilitated the shift of attention from external visual inputs to internal cognitive processes as an adaptation to thrive in dark environments. The evolution of alpha rhythms might trace back to the dinosaur era, suggesting that enhanced cortical connectivity linked to alpha bands could have facilitated the development of nocturnal awakening in the ancestors of mammals. In fishes, reptiles, and birds, the pallium lacks a cortical layer. However, there is a lack of research clearly observing dominant alpha rhythms in the pallium or organized nuclear structures in fishes, reptiles, or birds. Through convergent evolution, the pallium of birds, which exhibits cortex-like fiber architecture, has not only acquired advanced cognitive and motor abilities but also the capability to generate low-frequency oscillations (4-25 Hz) resembling alpha rhythms. This suggests that the origins of alpha rhythms might lie in the pallium of a common ancestor of birds and mammals.
KW - alpha rhythms
KW - neocortex
KW - nocturnal mammals
KW - pallium
KW - pedunculopontine nucleus
KW - vertebrates
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85191078106&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1384340
DO - 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1384340
M3 - 簡易調査
C2 - 38651071
AN - SCOPUS:85191078106
SN - 1662-5153
VL - 18
JO - Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
JF - Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
M1 - 1384340
ER -