REAL

Neuronal boost to evolutionary dynamics

de Vladar, Harold P. and Szathmáry, Eörs (2015) Neuronal boost to evolutionary dynamics. INTERFACE FOCUS, 5 (6). pp. 1-15. ISSN 2042-8898

[img]
Preview
Text
RSFS20150074cp.pdf

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Standard evolutionary dynamics is limited by the constraints of the genetic system. A central message of evolutionary neurodynamics is that evolutionary dynamics in the brain can happen in a neuronal niche in real time, despite the fact that neurons do not reproduce. We show that Hebbian learning and structural synaptic plasticity broaden the capacity for informational replication and guided variability provided a neuronally plausible mechanism of replication is in place. The synergy between learning and selection is more efficient than the equivalent search by mutation selection. We also consider asymmetric landscapes and show that the learning weights become correlated with the fitness gradient. That is, the neuronal complexes learn the local properties of the fitness landscape, resulting in the generation of variability directed towards the direction of fitness increase, as if mutations in a genetic pool were drawn such that they would increase reproductive success. Evolution might thus be more efficient within evolved brains than among organisms out in the wild.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Q Science / természettudomány > QH Natural history / természetrajz > QH426 Genetics / genetika, örökléstan
SWORD Depositor: MTMT SWORD
Depositing User: MTMT SWORD
Date Deposited: 15 Feb 2016 09:21
Last Modified: 15 Feb 2016 09:21
URI: http://real.mtak.hu/id/eprint/33420

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item