Examination of cognition has historically been approached from language and introspection. However, human language–dependent definitions ignore the evolutionary roots of brain mechanisms and constrain their study in experimental animals. We promote an alternative view, namely that cognition, including memory, can be explained by exaptation and expansion of the circuits and algorithms serving bodily functions. Regulation and protection of metabolic and energetic processes require time-evolving brain computations enabling the organism to prepare for altered future states. Exaptation of such circuits was likely exploited for exploration of the organism's niche. We illustrate that exploration gives rise to a cognitive map, and in turn, environment-disengaged computation allows for mental travel into the past (memory) and the future (planning). Such brain-body interactions not only occur during waking but also persist during sleep. These exaptation steps are illustrated by the dual, endocrine-homeostatic and memory, contributions of the hippocampal system, particularly during hippocampal sharp-wave ripples.

中文翻译：

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身体与大脑合作的认知：记忆的延伸

历史上，认知检验一直是从语言和内省角度进行的。然而，依赖于人类语言的定义忽略了大脑机制的进化根源，并限制了他们在实验动物中的研究。我们提出了另一种观点，即认知，包括记忆，可以通过服务身体功能的电路和算法的扩展和扩展来解释。代谢和能量过程的调节和保护需要随时间演化的大脑计算，使有机体能够为改变的未来状态做好准备。这种电路的扩展很可能被用来探索生物体的生态位。我们说明探索产生了认知地图，反过来，与环境无关的计算允许精神旅行到过去（记忆）和未来（规划）。这种大脑与身体的相互作用不仅发生在清醒时，而且在睡眠期间也持续存在。这些适应步骤通过海马系统的双重内分泌稳态和记忆贡献来说明，特别是在海马尖波波纹期间。