The Fractal Geometry of the Human Brain: An Evolutionary Perspective

Michel A Hofman

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-47606-8_12

The Fractal Geometry of the Human Brain: An Evolutionary Perspective

Michel A Hofman

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN)

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodical › Article › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

The evolution of the brain in mammals is characterized by changes in size, architecture, and internal organization. Consequently, the geometry of the brain, and especially the size and shape of the cerebral cortex, has changed notably during evolution. Comparative studies of the cerebral cortex suggest that there are general architectural principles governing its growth and evolutionary development. In this chapter, some of the design principles and operational modes that underlie the fractal geometry and information processing capacity of the cerebral cortex in primates, including humans, will be explored. It is shown that the development of the cortex coordinates folding with connectivity in a way that produces smaller and faster brains.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	241-258
Number of pages	18
Journal	Advances in neurobiology
Volume	36
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47606-8_12
Publication status	Published - Mar 2024

Keywords

Animals
Humans
Fractals
Biological Evolution
Brain
Primates
Cerebral Cortex
Mammals

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10.1007/978-3-031-47606-8_12

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AB - The evolution of the brain in mammals is characterized by changes in size, architecture, and internal organization. Consequently, the geometry of the brain, and especially the size and shape of the cerebral cortex, has changed notably during evolution. Comparative studies of the cerebral cortex suggest that there are general architectural principles governing its growth and evolutionary development. In this chapter, some of the design principles and operational modes that underlie the fractal geometry and information processing capacity of the cerebral cortex in primates, including humans, will be explored. It is shown that the development of the cortex coordinates folding with connectivity in a way that produces smaller and faster brains.

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KW - Humans

KW - Fractals

KW - Biological Evolution

KW - Brain

KW - Primates

KW - Cerebral Cortex

KW - Mammals

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JO - Advances in neurobiology

JF - Advances in neurobiology

ER -

The Fractal Geometry of the Human Brain: An Evolutionary Perspective

Abstract

Keywords

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