Abstract
The brain is like the immune system. Both recognize external influences and respond to them. A type of memory is present in both brain and immune cells. The analogies between the brain and the immune system have been a topic of Gerald Edelman's writings for about 20 years. Apart from his more recent works in neuroscience, the author is probably best known for deciphering the structure of the antibody molecule. That work resulted in a Nobel Prize in 1972. Edelman has also made important contributions to our understanding of cell adhesion molecules, especially those that guide brain development. The immune system makes specific antibodies to an infinite diversity of antigens. Contrary to expectation, the immune cells do not design de novo specific antibodies to fit the antigen's shape. Instead, preexisting clones, which already bear suitable antibodies, are by their binding to the antigen. The selected clones proliferate. Future exposures
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