The Dopaminergic Mind in Human Evolution and History

Cover......Page 1
Half-title......Page 3
Dedication......Page 4
Title......Page 5
Copyright......Page 6
Contents......Page 7
Figures......Page 9
Tables......Page 10
Acknowledgments......Page 11
1 What makes humans special?......Page 13
1.1.1 Was human intelligence genetically selected?......Page 15
1.1.2 Did our larger brains make us more intelligent?......Page 22
1.2.1 Dopamine and advanced intelligence......Page 25
1.2.2 The rise of dopamine during human evolution......Page 29
2.1 The neurochemistry of dopamine......Page 31
2.2 The neuroanatomy of dopamine......Page 35
2.3 Dopamine and the left hemisphere......Page 43
2.4 Dopamine and the autonomic nervous system......Page 45
2.5 Summary......Page 47
3 Dopamine and behavior......Page 49
3.1 Dopamine and distant space and time......Page 50
3.1.1 Dopamine and attention to spatially and temporally distant cues......Page 53
3.1.2 Dopamine and goal-directedness......Page 58
3.1.3 Dopamine and extrapersonal experiences......Page 61
3.2 Dopamine and intelligence......Page 65
3.2.1 Motor programming and sequencing......Page 69
3.2.3 Cognitive flexibility......Page 71
3.2.4 Abstract representation......Page 73
3.2.5 Temporal analysis/processing speed......Page 74
3.2.6 Generativity/creativity......Page 75
3.3 Dopamine and emotion......Page 76
3.4 The dopaminergic personality......Page 78
3.4.1 Ventromedial dopaminergic traits......Page 80
3.4.2 Lateral-dopaminergic traits......Page 81
3.4.3 Dopamine and the left-hemispheric (masculine) style......Page 83
3.5 Summary......Page 85
4.1 The \"hyperdopaminergic\" syndrome......Page 87
4.2.1 Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder......Page 91
4.2.2 Autism......Page 93
4.2.3 Huntington\'s disease......Page 95
4.2.4 Mania (bipolar disorder)......Page 96
4.2.5 Obsessive-compulsive disorder......Page 98
4.2.6 Parkinson\'s disease......Page 100
4.2.7 Phenylketonuria......Page 102
4.2.8 Schizophrenia......Page 103
4.2.9 Tourette\'s syndrome......Page 107
4.3 Summary......Page 109
5.1 The importance of epigenetic inheritance......Page 113
5.2.1 Environmental adaptations in the \"cradle of humanity\"......Page 116
5.2.2 Thermoregulation and its consequences......Page 120
5.3 The emergence of the dopaminergic mind in later evolution......Page 126
5.3.1 The importance of shellfish consumption......Page 129
5.3.2 The role of population pressures and cultural exchange......Page 131
5.4 Summary......Page 133
6.1 The transition to the dopaminergic society......Page 135
6.2 The role of dopaminergic personalities in human history......Page 142
6.2.1 Alexander the Great......Page 146
6.2.2 Christopher Columbus......Page 148
6.2.3 Isaac Newton......Page 151
6.2.4 Napoleon Bonaparte......Page 154
6.2.5 Albert Einstein......Page 156
6.2.6 Dopaminergic personalities in history - reprise......Page 159
6.3 The modern hyperdopaminergic society......Page 161
6.4 Summary......Page 165
7.1 Reaching the limits of the dopaminergic mind......Page 167
7.2.1 Altering dopamine with individual behavior......Page 173
7.2.2 Knocking down the pillars of the hyperdopaminergic society......Page 177
7.3 Toward a new consciousness......Page 182
References......Page 185
Index......Page 220