
Song, Sleep, and the Slow Evolution of Thoughts
Studies on Brain Representation
Sidarta Ribeiro(Author)
LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
Published on 22. May 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
220 pages
978-3-8383-1803-5 (ISBN)
Description
How do brains learn? Expression of a plasticity-related immediate early gene (IEG) was mapped to investigate the neural mechanisms of song memorization in canaries and the role of sleep for memory consolidation in rats. Chapter one shows that a song-responsive forebrain nucleus carries a topographic representation of the syllabic repertoire. This representation is tuned to natural stimuli, can be modified by experience, and depends on attention. Chapter two demonstrates that sleep can either increase or decrease IEG expression in the brain, depending on whether the animal experienced novel stimuli during the preceding waking period. Chapter three presents an effort to understand what thoughts are. It is hypothesized that a thought is a self-propagated wave of electrical activity along a particular recursive trajectory in the neuronal matrix. This hypothesis is used to build a plausible historical narrative of the coevolution of brains and thoughts, from their ancient origin in the Precambrian to the present.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Germany
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 220 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
346 gr
ISBN-13
978-3-8383-1803-5 (9783838318035)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Sidarta Ribeiro, PhD: Studied molecular neuroethology at Rockefeller University, and completed postdoctoral training in neurophysiology at Duke University. Professor of neuroscience at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, and head of laboratory at the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience of Natal.