POTOMAC, Md. — Dr. Paul D. MacLean, the neuroscientist who developed the then-revolutionary concept of the three-part brain — one part controlling involuntary actions, one controlling emotions and the third involved in thought processes — died Dec. 26 at his home. He was 94.
His conception of the “triune brain” has since been dismissed by most neuroscientists as being overly simplistic, but his ideas laid the foundation for much of the brain research that was to follow and played a major role in popularizing the subject for a lay audience.
He thought that the complex emotions and violent behaviors of humans were produced by imbalances in the control of the brain by one or more of these separate areas. Violence, for example, would result when the part of the brain controlling the most primitive instincts predominated.
He speculated that each of these areas developed independently as evolution drove animals into ever-more complex behaviors.
The oldest and simplest part of the brain, according to the triune model, is the “R-complex” or reptilian brain, which comprises primarily the brain stem and the cerebellum. Its primary duty is controlling heartbeat, breathing muscle and balance, but it is also responsible for aggression, territorial instincts and similar behaviors — all of them factors crucial for survival in even the most primitive of animals.
Next to develop was what MacLean termed the limbic system, including the amygdala and the hippocampus. These areas of the brain house the primary centers of emotion and are crucial in converting information into long-term memory. The limbic system is involved in primary activities related to food and sex, as well as the mediation of emotions and feelings.
Last to develop was the neocortex, which constitutes about five-sixths of the brain’s mass. It makes language possible and is necessary for logical thinking and planning for the future.
The idea worked its way into many publications in the 1960s and 1970s, including the works of Arthur Koestler and Carl Sagan’s Pulitzer-prize-winning “The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Future of Human Intelligence.” MacLean himself elucidated his ideas in his 1990 book, “The Triune Brain in Evolution: Role in Paleocerebral Functions.”
Researchers now know, however, that the evolution of the brain was much more complex than the simple pattern suggest by Mac Lean.
Furthermore, more sophisticated techniques now available show that the functions supposedly residing in each of the areas are spread more widely throughout the brain.
Nonetheless, his experiments stimulated other scientists to begin exploring what many have termed the “big questions” of life, such as consciousness and philosophy, rather than restricting themselves to more mechanical problems such as vision, hearing and movement.
Other Deaths
Bob Enos, 60, who played trumpet in the band Roomful of Blues for 26 years, died Friday at a hotel while touring with the band. Douglas, Ga., police said Enos appeared to have died in his sleep of natural causes, hours after playing a concert at the Douglas Country Club.
Enos’ last album with Roomful of Blues, titled “Raisin’ a Ruckus,” was released Tuesday on Alligator Records.
Enos joined Roomful of Blues in 1981, adding the powerful voice of his trumpet to the eight-piece ensemble’s punchy horn section and stylistic mix of blues, jazz, swing, R&B and soul.
A native of Boston, Enos took up the trumpet at 14 and studied at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Before joining Roomful of Blues, he toured with the Platters and the jazz-fusion group Channel One. He played with the Roomful horn section on session recordings for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pat Benatar and Colin James.
Despite Enos’ death, the band opted to continue its tour and headed to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for its next gig on the Legendary Blues Cruise, a seven-day Caribbean concert cruise featuring multiple artists.
…
Pete Candoli, one of the top high-note lead trumpeters in jazz who performed with some of the leading figures of the big-band era, died Friday, said Sheryl Deauville, his life partner of 22 years.
From a childhood in Mishawaka, Ind., Candoli forged a six-decade career and was featured in bands led by Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Tex Beneke and Les Brown.
While with Herman’s First Herd during World War II, he became known for his excellent high-register work and even wore a Superman costume while performing the specialty number “Superman With a Horn.” He moved to the West Coast in the early 1950s and established himself as a studio musician.
According to his website, Candoli arranged and conducted for Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee. Frank Sinatra often would fly him to Las Vegas for gigs.
Born June 28, 1923, Candoli and his younger brother, Conte, were encouraged to take up music by their factory-worker father.
He got his union card before he was a teenager and was playing gigs in his hometown, including Polish weddings, Deauville said.
In the 1970s, Candoli established a nightclub act with his wife, singer and actress Edie Adams. He sang, danced, played and directed the orchestra.
His marriages to Adams and an earlier marriage to singer-actress Betty Hutton ended in divorce.
