| Title & Author | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|
| 11(083) | MYOPIA, INTELLIGENCE, AND THE EXPANDING HUMAN NEOCORTEX
[International Journal of Neuroscience (1999), 98(3-4): 153-276] Precis of Storfer on Brain-Intelligence Miles David Storfer The Foundation for Brain Research 46 Brittany A Drive Delray Beach FL 33446 USA brainfoundation@aol.com |
Abstract:
During the past century, a substantial increase has
occurred in the size of the human brain, especially in
'association' areas of the neocortex heavily used to cope with a
complex language-driven society. It is proposed that this
neocortical expansion has made possible the large, gradual increase
in IQ that has occurred across the developed world, and been
responsible for the dramatic upsurge in the prevalence and severity
of near-sightedness (myopia) usually found after societies
urbanize. The impetus for these changes begins during prenatal
development. Findings from studies of mammals reared in captivity
suggest that there is a mechanism for adaptive epigenetic
inheritance, one capable of modifying the timing and/or extent of
gene expression prenatally, without altering the DNA sequences that
comprise protein-coding and other structural genes. Mechanisms that
appear capable of transporting such adaptive changes across the
so-called 'germ-line barrier' -- without violating the basic
precepts of Darwin's theory -- are proposed. The social and
evolutionary ramifications of our apparent proclivity for rapid,
progressive, adaptive neocortical change are discussed, as well as
some ways of testing aspects of this theory are proposed.
Keywords: allergy, brain size, development, evolution, gene expression regulation, genomic imprinting, gifted, intelligence, myopia, neocortex. |
| 11(102) | PARALLEL INCREASE IN MYOPIA, BRAIN SIZE,
AND INTELLIGENCE FOLLOWING URBANIZATION Book Review of Storfer on Brain-Intelligence Uner Tan Department of Physiology Medical Faculty Black Sea Technical University Trabzon Turkey unertan@mailcity.com unertan100@netscape.net unertan@meds.ktu.edu.tr |
Abstract:
Storfer's (2000) argument that there was a parallel
increase in myopia, brain size, and intelligence due to
urbanization (complex visual inputs) during the last century is
analyzed in this commentary. Sex differences, sex hormones, and
human handedness also need to be considered. In his excellent
monograph, Storfer (1999) argues that human brains gradually
increased in size during the past century along with a dramatic
upsurge of myopia, which is highly correlated with human
intelligence. Storfer also argues that these adaptive changes
following urbanization may occur by adaptive epigenetic inheritance
without violating the basic concepts of Darwin's theory.
Keywords: allergy, brain size, development, evolution, gene expression regulation, genomic imprinting, gifted, intelligence, myopia, neocortex. |
| 11(103) | INTERRELATING BROAD POPULATION TRENDS
Book Review of Storfer on Brain-Intelligence R. W. Howard School of Education University of NSW Sydney, 2052 Australia rwh@unsw.edu.au |
Abstract:
Storfer (2000) offers a sweeping overview and interesting
possible interrelations between several ongoing population trends.
However, the argument rests on some weak pillars which need more
research, particularly the so far limited evidence that brain size
correlates with intelligence and that the increasing average raw IQ
scores actually represent increasing intelligence. The target
article has great heuristic value in that it suggests a focus on
more population trends and more research on how they may be linked.
Humanity has been conducting various societal experiments over the
20th Century. These may be having a number of effects, as yet
undetected.
Keywords: allergy, brain size, development, evolution, gene expression regulation, genomic imprinting, gifted, intelligence, myopia, neocortex. |
| 11(104) | BRAIN AND EYE SIZE, MYOPIA AND INTELLIGENCE
Book Review of Storfer on Brain-Intelligence. Edward M. Miller Professor of Economics and Finance University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA 70148 504-280-6913 (work) 504-283-3536 (home) 504-280-6397 (fax) Ed765@aol.com |
Abstract:
The major facts Storfer (1999, 2000) attempts to explain
by unorthodox theory are easily explained within the framework of
traditional genetics and evolutionary theory. The correlation of IQ
and myopia may be due to a single gene affecting both brain size
and eyeball size, or by high intelligence leading to studying
leading to myopia. There are plausible evolutionary theories to
explain ethnic group differences in intelligence and myopia.
Keywords: allergy, brain size, development, evolution, gene expression regulation, genomic imprinting, gifted, intelligence, myopia, neocortex. |
| 12(013) | THE PARALLEL INCREASE IN BRAIN SIZE, INTELLIGENCE, AND MYOPIA
Reply to Uner Tan on Brain-Intelligence Miles David Storfer The Foundation for Brain Research 46 Brittany A Drive Delray Beach, FL 33446 USA brainfoundation@aol.com |
Abstract:
Tan judges my target article as excellent, but expresses
the view that in analyzing the long-term increases in brain size,
myopia and intelligence, insufficient attention was paid to sex
differences, handedness and sex hormones. I respond to some
propositions advanced by Tan, and discuss these areas, including
alternative interpretations for some of Tan's findings.
Keywords: allergy, brain size, development, evolution, gene expression regulation, genomic imprinting, gifted, intelligence, myopia, neocortex. |
| 12(014) | INTERRELATING POPULATION TRENDS ON BRAIN SIZE, INTELLIGENCE AND
MYOPIA Reply to R. W. Howard on Brain-Intelligence Miles David Storfer The Foundation for Brain Research 46 Brittany A Drive Delray Beach, FL 33446 USA brainfoundation@aol.com |
Abstract:
Howard is certain that people are becoming more
intelligent, but is less sure that there's a strong causal
association between increasing brain size and IQ. I also respond to
the rationale he proposes to explain the upsurge in myopia.
Keywords: allergy, brain size, development, evolution, gene expression regulation, genomic imprinting, gifted, intelligence, myopia, neocortex. |
| 12(015) | BRAIN AND EYE SIZE, MYOPIA, AND IQ.
Reply to E. M. Miller on Brain-Intelligence Miles David Storfer The Foundation for Brain Research 46 Brittany A Drive Delray Beach, FL 33446 USA brainfoundation@aol.com |
Abstract:
Miller has no quarrel with my analysis of the myopia,
intelligence, and brain-size data bases, but asserts that these
statistical associations and trends can be easily explained within
the framework of traditional genetics and evolutionary theory. I
articulate features of a myopia inheritance model that would seem
to be required for Miller's strong-inheritance + environmental-
sensitivity view to explain myopia's upsurge, and discuss areas
where, in the absence of a 'parental environment influences
offspring myopia' effect, the body of evidence is inconsistent with
such a construct.
Keywords: allergy, brain size, development, evolution, gene expression regulation, genomic imprinting, gifted, intelligence, myopia, neocortex. |