Brain Behav Evol 2014;83:81 DOI: 10.1159/000357923
Published online: April 24, 2014
Preface
A comparative approach in neurosciences offers important advantages. By raising novel questions awaiting appropriate answers, comparative aspects provide a suitable – sometimes surprising and unorthodox – frame of mind for the interpretation of new findings. Careful follow-up of existing homologies may support understanding of the neural mechanisms, ultimately to the level of the human brain. Furthermore, the revelation of disparities, e.g. varying solutions for similar problems brought about by divergent evolution in the different taxa, represents fascinating intellectual challenges for the investigators. Often neglected in the course of practical research, comparative thinking has a place in the ever-growing field of brain research. Its legacy is all the more evident in systems neuroscience. Linkage between long extinct and extant groups of the animal kingdom always reminds us of the unitary features of life on earth, where every new step in evolution was based upon preexisting traits (no taxon has come from planet Mars!). On the one hand, homologies (either genomic, developmental, morphological or functional) are welcome and sought after whenever possible. On the other hand, we cannot expect to find homologies in all existing brain mechanisms no matter how plausible these may seem. Like it or not, nature has come up with awesome solutions in the course of parallel evolution, and this fact suggests modesty in the extent to
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel 0006–8977/14/0832–0081$39.50/0 E-Mail [email protected] www.karger.com/bbe
which one is attached to the brain region or system of his/ her interest as unique or special. Such a modest yet determined and highly professional approach has characterized the recent gathering of comparative neuroscientists in Budapest. Continuing a worthy tradition of triennial meetings, the 7th European Conference on Comparative Neurobiology (ECCN) convened in April 2013, for the first time in Budapest, the Hungarian capital. Built around five main topics: sensory systems, central pattern generators, calcium-binding proteins, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex development, the meeting hosted prestigious plenary speakers (Rudolf Nieuwenhuys, Sten Grillner, Tibor Harkány and Zoltán Molnár), symposium chairs (Bernd Fritzsch and Anton Reiner) and a host of renowned symposium speakers, in addition to a welcome number of poster presentations not only from Europe but also from the US. The tradition continues: the next ECCN will be held in Munich, spring 2016 (organized by Mario Wullimann). As a sequel to the 7th ECCN, the guest editors are glad to present a selection of its publications in this special issue of Brain, Behavior and Evolution, with special thanks to the publishing house S. Karger AG and Prof. Georg Striedter, Editor-in-Chief, for making this effort possible. András Csillag, Budapest Hans J. ten Donkelaar, Nijmegen
Copyright: S. Karger AG, Basel 2014. Reproduced with the permission of S. Karger AG, Basel. Further reproduction or distribution (electronic or otherwise) is prohibited without permission from the copyright holder.
Published online: April 24, 2014
Preface
A comparative approach in neurosciences offers important advantages. By raising novel questions awaiting appropriate answers, comparative aspects provide a suitable – sometimes surprising and unorthodox – frame of mind for the interpretation of new findings. Careful follow-up of existing homologies may support understanding of the neural mechanisms, ultimately to the level of the human brain. Furthermore, the revelation of disparities, e.g. varying solutions for similar problems brought about by divergent evolution in the different taxa, represents fascinating intellectual challenges for the investigators. Often neglected in the course of practical research, comparative thinking has a place in the ever-growing field of brain research. Its legacy is all the more evident in systems neuroscience. Linkage between long extinct and extant groups of the animal kingdom always reminds us of the unitary features of life on earth, where every new step in evolution was based upon preexisting traits (no taxon has come from planet Mars!). On the one hand, homologies (either genomic, developmental, morphological or functional) are welcome and sought after whenever possible. On the other hand, we cannot expect to find homologies in all existing brain mechanisms no matter how plausible these may seem. Like it or not, nature has come up with awesome solutions in the course of parallel evolution, and this fact suggests modesty in the extent to
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel 0006–8977/14/0832–0081$39.50/0 E-Mail [email protected] www.karger.com/bbe
which one is attached to the brain region or system of his/ her interest as unique or special. Such a modest yet determined and highly professional approach has characterized the recent gathering of comparative neuroscientists in Budapest. Continuing a worthy tradition of triennial meetings, the 7th European Conference on Comparative Neurobiology (ECCN) convened in April 2013, for the first time in Budapest, the Hungarian capital. Built around five main topics: sensory systems, central pattern generators, calcium-binding proteins, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex development, the meeting hosted prestigious plenary speakers (Rudolf Nieuwenhuys, Sten Grillner, Tibor Harkány and Zoltán Molnár), symposium chairs (Bernd Fritzsch and Anton Reiner) and a host of renowned symposium speakers, in addition to a welcome number of poster presentations not only from Europe but also from the US. The tradition continues: the next ECCN will be held in Munich, spring 2016 (organized by Mario Wullimann). As a sequel to the 7th ECCN, the guest editors are glad to present a selection of its publications in this special issue of Brain, Behavior and Evolution, with special thanks to the publishing house S. Karger AG and Prof. Georg Striedter, Editor-in-Chief, for making this effort possible. András Csillag, Budapest Hans J. ten Donkelaar, Nijmegen
Copyright: S. Karger AG, Basel 2014. Reproduced with the permission of S. Karger AG, Basel. Further reproduction or distribution (electronic or otherwise) is prohibited without permission from the copyright holder.
