Abstract
Neural reuse theories of the development of the functional structure of the brain [1] state that it is normal and common that neural circuits evolved for one purpose can and will be exapted (exploited, recycled and redeployed) by newer and later developed functions. This organizational hypothesis of the nature of neural evolution supports many observations on how and why the embodied nature of cognition works. In this paper we introduce the neural reuse paradigm, and relate it to theories of hierarchically arranged mutualisms in the development of natural ecosystems. In such nested structures of functional mutualism, the ecosystems evolve to support more diverse types of species (or functions) [2]. This diversity has many advantages for natural ecosystems. We will argue that these same concepts can be applied to understanding the functional ecosystem of the evolved neural circuits of the brain. We will discuss how these ideas relate to the robustness and flexibility of embodied cognitive functioning and discuss ways that this concept could be tested in natural neural networks and artificial cognitive systems.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Anderson, M.L.: Neural reuse: A fundamental organizational principle of the brain. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 33, 245–313 (2010)
Sugihara, G., Ye, H.: Cooperative network dynamics. Nature 458, 979–980 (2009)
Anderson, M.L.: Massive redeployment, exaptation, and the functional integration of cognitive operation. Synthese 159(3), 329–345 (2007)
Decety, J., Grèzes, J.: Neural mechansims subserving the perception of human actions. Trends in Cognitive Science 3, 172–178 (1999)
Chao, L.L., Martin, A.: Representation of manipulable man-made objects in the dorsal stream. Neuroimage 12, 478–484 (2000)
Rizzolatti, G., Craighero, L.: The mirror-neuron system. Annual Review of Neuroscience 27, 169–192 (2004)
Gallese, V., Lakoff, G.: The brain’s concepts: The role of the sensory-motor system in conceptual knowledge. Cognitive Neuropsychology 22(3-4), 455–479 (2005)
Anderson, M.L.: On the grounds of (x)-grounded cognition. In: Calvo, P., Gomila, T. (eds.) Handbook of Cognitive Science, ch. 21, pp. 423–435. Elsiver (2010)
Bastolla, U., Fortuna, M.A., Pascual-Garcia, A., Ferrera, A., Luque, B., Bascompte, J.: The architecture of mutualistic networks minimizes competition and increases biodiversity. Nature 458, 1018–1021 (2009)
May, R.M., Levin, S.A., Sugihara, G.: Ecology for bankers. Nature 451, 893–895 (2008)
Bastolla, U., Lassig, M., Manrubia, S.C., Valleriani, A.: Biodiversity in model ecosystems, i: coexistence conditions for competing species. Journal of Theoretical Biology 235, 521–530 (2005)
Bassett, D.S., Bullmore, E.: Small-World brain networks. The Neuroscientist 12(6), 512–523 (2006)
Boccaletti, S., Latora, V., Moreno, Y., Chavez, M., Hwang, D.-U.: Complex networks: structure and dynamics. Physics Reports 424, 175–308 (2006)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Harter, D. (2013). Hierarchically Arranged Mutualism of Neural Circuit Ecosystems. In: Liu, D., Alippi, C., Zhao, D., Hussain, A. (eds) Advances in Brain Inspired Cognitive Systems. BICS 2013. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 7888. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38786-9_29
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38786-9_29
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-38785-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-38786-9
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)