Neuroscience: Genes and human brain evolution

Nature. 2012 Jun 28;486(7404):481-2. doi: 10.1038/nature11380.

Abstract

Several genes were duplicated during human evolution. It seems that one such duplication gave rise to a gene that may have helped to make human brains bigger and more adaptable than those of our ancestors.

Publication types

  • News

MeSH terms

  • Biological Evolution*
  • Brain / anatomy & histology*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Female
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Duplication / genetics
  • Genes, Duplicate / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hydatidiform Mole / genetics
  • Male
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • SRGAP2 protein, human