Brain evolution

Gene duplications prolonged the development of brain connections – and may have contributed to human intelligence

Gene duplications prolonged the development of brain connections – and may have contributed to human intelligence

  • No comments
A study in Neuron found that human-specific copies of SRGAP2 slow and coordinate the maturation of microglia and synapses. The extended developmental window may allow for the formation of more complex neural networks, but the study did not examine
The interior of a fossilized skull of Trawdenia planti, showing signs of nervous tissue.

Brain tissue more than 300 million years old preserved in a tiny fish fossil

  • No comments
Advanced scans of the ancient fish Trawdenia planti have revealed neural tissue that filled almost the entire skull cavity. The finding provides clues to the early evolution of fin rays and allows fossil skulls to be used to reconstruct structure
Science website logo
SEARCH