This lecture opens with the identification of genes whose postnatal expression lags behind that observed in chimpanzees, bonobos and macaques. The key point is that many of these genes regulate the opening, duration and closing of critical learning periods marked by great plasticity in the cerebral cortex. These periods are not synchronous, which is particularly important when we consider cognitive functions whose plasticity remains "open" until very late in sapiens, sometimes until late adolescence. This is followed by a morphological analysis, with a description of synaptogenesis, also very late in sapiens, at least for the prefrontal cortex. Molecular mechanisms are described, in particular those involving regulatory elements and non-coding RNAs. All these elements are linked to the question of theory of mind, particularly developed in humans, which enables them to take into account in their behavior thoughts and intentions that they attribute to other members of their community. A link is proposed with illnesses considered "proper to man", specifically psychiatric illnesses. In the context of animal cultures, a development is proposed on the use of tools by chimpanzees and corvids.
17:00 - 18:30
