Keverne E.B. Beyond Sex Differences: Genes, Brains and Matrilineal Evolution

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017. — 234 p.Recent developments in behavioural neuroscience and genomics are providing exciting new tools for understanding mammalian evolution. Drawing on a range of disciplines including genomic reprogramming, immunology, genomic imprinting, placentation and brain development, this book examines the leading role played by the mother's genome and epigenome in the successful evolutionary progression of humans from ancestral mammals. Keverne begins by discussing the historic context of the perceived dominance of males and the patriline, before arguing that it is instead the matriline that exerts the dominant influence in shaping the evolution of our brain development and behaviour, especially the co-adaptive development of brain and placenta. Presenting a balanced outlook on the development of sex differences and an alternative to traditional views, Beyond Sex Differences will be of interest to anyone studying and researching mother and infant development.Preface
Acknowledgments
On the Genetic Origin of Sex Differences
References
Epigenetics: The Gene Environment Interface
Retrotransposons
Reprogramming the Epigenome
The Epigenetic Clock
Epigenetics, Brain Development and Function
Neocortical Development, Epigenetics and Social Influences
Intergenerational Inheritance
References
Genomic Imprinting: Matrilineal Regulatory Control Over Gene Expression
Historical Perspective on Genomic Imprinting
Evolutionary Origins of Genomic Imprinting
Evolutionary Theories of Genomic Imprinting
Imprinted Gene Stability
Imprinted Gene Networks
Reprogramming of the Imprinted Genome
References
Puberty: Developmental Reorganisation of Sex Differences in Body and Mind
Kisspeptin: A Key Neuropeptide for Determining Mammalian Puberty Onset
Early Onset of Puberty and its Consequences
Reorganisational Changes in the Brain at Puberty
Sex Differences in the Reorganisational Changes of the Brain at Puberty
Puberty and Behavioural Disorders
References
Mother–Infant Bonding: The Biological Foundations for Social Life and Cultures
The Formation and Regulation of Primate Social Bonds
Social Adversity: Influence on Brain Development
Infant–Mother Attachment
The History of Human Social Evolution
Significance of the Matriline in Human Societies
Concluding Commentary
References
Brain and Placenta: The Coming Together of Two Distinct Generations
Brain Evolution
Co-adaptive Development of the Maternal ‘Emotional Brain’ and the Foetal Placenta
Masculinisation of the Male Hypothalamic Brain
The Matrilineal Importance for Neocortical Brain Evolution
References
The Epigenetic Landscape in the Evolutionary Ascent of the Matriline: Concluding Overview
Germline Reprogramming
DNA Repair
Genomic Imprinting
Mother’s Brain and the Foetal Placenta: An Intergenerational Template Facilitating Evolutionary Co-adaptation
Epigenetics, Brain Development and Brain Evolution
What Is Special About Epigenetics, and Why Has This Been So Important in the Evolutionary Ascent of the Matriline?
References
Index