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An Evolutionary Approach to the Investigation of PsychoneuroEndocrine Functions

  • Chapter
Hormones and Brain Function

Abstract

Evolutionary considerations are helpful in the approach to brain and behavior investigations, including those on neuroendocrine mechanisms. As diagrammed in Fig. 1, the primate forebrain evolves in hierarchic fashion along the lines of three basic patterns which, for purposes of discussion, I refer to as reptilian, paleo-mammalian, and neomammalian (MacLean 1962, 1964, 1967). Although markedly unlike in chemistry and structure, the three cerebrotypes establish extensive interconnections and function together as a triune brain (MacLean 1970a). Yet there is evidence that each is capable of operating somewhat independently.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Brain Evolution and Behavior, National Institute of Mental Health, Poolesville, Md., USA

    P. D. MacLean

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  1. P. D. MacLean
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University Medical School, Pécs, Hungary

    K. Lissák (Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Professor of Physiology) (Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Professor of Physiology)

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© 1973 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary

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MacLean, P.D. (1973). An Evolutionary Approach to the Investigation of PsychoneuroEndocrine Functions. In: Lissák, K. (eds) Hormones and Brain Function. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2007-4_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2007-4_39

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-2009-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-2007-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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