In our brain is the physical basis of everything we are, what we feel and, more importantly, everything we can become. Much of our evolutionary success is specifically due to neocortex, also called isocorteza. terms of evolution, as well as the greatest of all, and has made possible processes as sophisticated as communication, writing, sociability, creativity and decision-making.
David Eagleman, a renowned writer and neuroscientist at Stanford University, says every brain is unique and unique, like a snowflake, no two are the same. They reflect our experiences, behaviors and events of life.
- As for the structure.
- However.
- We are all the result of phylogenetic development.
- That is.
- Of our species.
- And this evolution is undoubtedly exceptional.
- Neocortex is presented as a great evolutionary success.
Formed by a large number of grooves, six layers and two millimeters thick, it contains about 30 billion neurons, it is a neural layer that covers all wolves, including the front wolf, whose development and specialization stand out in primates and also, of course, in humans. Knowing more about this area of our brain will allow us to get to know each other better. Let’s look at more below.
“Neuroscience is undoubtedly the most exciting branch of science, because the brain is the most fascinating object in the universe. Every human brain is different, and the brain makes every human being unique and defines who it is. “Stanley B. Prusiner (Nobel Prize in Medicine, 1997) –
The neocortex is not very impressive in thickness, however, it should be remembered that this structure fits perfectly just below the skull, so, the classic aspect of the brain, full of grooves and turns, what are the folds officially called?because of it If we could extend this whole bent area, it would actually be about 2 meters long.
If we suffer a traumatic brain injury that injured the neocortex, the consequences can be very serious, so it is so dangerous to ride a motorcycle or bike without a helmet, an accident can affect our communication capacity, for example.
All our cognitive processes, such as spatial intelligence, the power to recognize faces, or even to have our self-awareness and sense of existence, are part of this particular area of the brain of humans and certain primates.
Let’s see below what its main functions are
We talked about it before. In this part of our evolving brain, more specialized and specialized, there is a treatment that allows us to perform tasks such as problem solving, decision making, reflection, concentration, self-control, regulation of emotional behavior and many others.
These are very complex tasks that also correspond to our learning capacity and the processes we integrate into humans as we evolve.
Is language, as we already know, a human capacity that places us above other species?Although it is already known that some species of birds can also speak, this happens simply by imitation, not with an intrinsic sense of social communication.
On the other hand, the reading and writing process also involves a series of complex processes that take place precisely in neocortex, we are faced with a very sophisticated skill by which we can associate written and oral symbols with meaning.
Understanding and reacting to what we see and feel is another skill that is regulated and enabled by neocortex.
What allows humans to be able to write, direct, play instruments or even walk upright and automatically, without having to think about how to do it ?, although we use other neurological structures to perform these actions, such as the cerebellum in this case, It is worth saying that all these processes are medium and are possible thanks to neocortex.
The ability to learn and transform what we learn, creating new things, is the highest process and what distinguishes the human being, that is, people are not limited to simply transmitting information, acquiring new skills, we are able to transform reality and create knowledge We do through observation, analysis, reflection, experimentation through trial and error and innovation.
This ability to learn and create has allowed us, as a human species, to move forward. As Juan Luis Arsuaga shows in his book “The Chosen Species”, the evolution of the neocortex was born from our social interactions. It is known that the size of this structure has a direct relationship with the number of individuals who form a social group.
Therefore, we cannot put aside this interesting aspect, we continue to evolve and discover. It was not until 1999 that neuroscientists discovered the great neuroplasticity of neocortex, that is, that humans continue to create neural connections throughout their lives.
Our experience and behavior can foster and create a stronger, more skilled and more resilient neocortex over time.