Paleoneurology, Cognition, and Behavior through Deep Time and Mass Extinctions

The evolutionary history of the mammalian central nervous system, renowned for its unique complexity and crucial role in governing higher bodily functions, offers critical insights into the origins of the human mind. Key questions persist regarding the origins and transformations of the synapsid brain through deep time, the foundations of primate and hominin neural and behavioural evolution, and the influence of mass extinction events on neurological and sensory organ development. Advances in the study of fossil and modern brains, inner ears, and sense organs, alongside the analysis of trace fossils and stone tools, have contributed significantly to our understanding, yet many aspects of neurosensory and behavioural evolution remain unresolved. This Research Topic aims to gather diverse contributions that address how the synapsid brain originated and evolved into the mammalian brain, how their nervous system became so diverse, and what neuroanatomical and behavioural changes underpinned the emergence of primates and hominins. We specifically seek to elucidate the impact of major evolutionary events, such as great transitions and mass extinctions, on the development of neurological and sensory systems, and to integrate fossil, anatomical, and behavioural lines of evidence. Our goal is to foster a comprehensive view of central nervous system evolution, from remote ancestry to the rise of advanced cognition in mammals. The scope of this Research Topic includes both extinct and extant organisms and encourages a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of neurosensory evolution. We welcome research and review articles on a wide range of related topics, including but not limited to: - Paleoneurology of mammals and other synapsids - Evolution of sense organs, such as the inner ear and trigeminal nerve - Brain evolution and its relation to behaviour - Trace fossils, stone tools, and their role in interpreting palaeo-behaviour - The effects of mass extinction events on neurological evolution Appendix: Research and review articles related to paleoneurology, sense organs and brain evolution (including inner ear evolution and other nervous and sensory structures such as the trigeminal nerve), and evolution of palaeo-behaviour are welcomed. Topic editors: Julien Benoit, Dr Sanjukta Chakravorti, Amélie Beaudet Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78041/paleoneurology-cognition-and-behavior-through-deep-time-and-mass-extinctions