{"id":7446,"date":"2024-10-15T17:53:14","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T17:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=7446"},"modified":"2024-10-16T21:39:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T21:39:29","slug":"new-study-links-human-brain-evolution-genes-to-autism-intellectual-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/new-study-links-human-brain-evolution-genes-to-autism-intellectual-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"New Study Links Human Brain Evolution Genes to Autism, Intellectual Disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">In a pivotal discovery, scientists have found that genes unique to human brain evolution are intricately linked to the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and intellectual disabilities. This study highlights the profound impact of human-specific molecular mechanisms on brain function.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A team of international researchers has uncovered a significant link between two human-specific genes and crucial genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, offering new hope for understanding and potentially treating conditions like autism and intellectual disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a study <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cell.com\/neuron\/fulltext\/S0896-6273(24)00645-7?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0896627324006457%3Fshowall%3Dtrue\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in Neuron, researchers led by Pierre Vanderhaeghen, a professor of medicine at VIB-KU Leuven, in collaboration with scientists from Columbia University and Ecole Normale Sup\u00e9rieure, have identified a direct connection between genes linked to human brain evolution and the SYNGAP1 gene. Mutations in SYNGAP1 are known to cause intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The human brain is uniquely characterized by its protracted developmental timeline, particularly visible in the slow maturing of synapses \u2014 the essential connections between neurons responsible for cognition. While synapses in species like mice mature in months, human synapses take years, a process believed to be central to our advanced cognitive abilities. However, disruptions in this pathway may underpin certain neurodevelopmental disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This pioneering study delves into the behavior of two genes, SRGAP2B and SRGAP2C, which are specific to humans. Initially identified in mice by C\u00e9cile Charrier in Franck Polleux\u2019s laboratory at Columbia University, these genes were found to decelerate synapse development when introduced into mouse neurons. The current investigation aimed to determine if these genes function similarly in human neurons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Baptiste Lib\u00e9-Philippot, a postdoctoral fellow in Vanderhaeghen\u2019s lab, led an experiment where SRGAP2B and SRGAP2C were deactivated in human neurons transplanted into mouse brains and observed over 18 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results were striking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe discovered that when you turn off these genes in human neurons, synaptic development speeds up at remarkable levels,&#8221; Lib\u00e9-Philippot said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/cbd.sites.vib.be\/en\/news#\/news\/scientists-discover-unexpected-link-between-genes-involved-in-human-brain-evolution-and-developmental-disorders\" title=\"\">news release<\/a>. &#8220;By 18 months, the synapses are comparable to what we would expect to see in children between five and 10 years old! This mirrors the accelerated synapse development observed in certain forms of autism spectrum disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further analysis revealed that these genes interact with SYNGAP1 to regulate the development speed of human synapses. Astonishingly, SRGAP2B and SRGAP2C not only increase SYNGAP1 levels but can also correct some defects in neurons lacking SYNGAP1, highlighting their vital role in human-specific neurodevelopmental pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis work gives us a clearer picture of the molecular mechanisms that shape the slow development of human synapses,&#8221; Vanderhaeghen said in the news release. &#8220;It is amazing to find out that the same genes that are involved in the evolution of the human brain also have the potential to modify the expression of specific brain diseases.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This could have important clinical relevance: more research is needed to understand how human-specific mechanisms of brain development affect learning and other behaviors and how their dysregulation can lead to brain disorders. It becomes conceivable that some human-specific gene products could become innovative drug targets,\u201d\u00a0he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A team of international researchers has uncovered a significant link between two human-specific genes and crucial genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, offering new hope for understanding and potentially treating conditions like autism and intellectual disabilities. In a study published in Neuron, researchers led by Pierre Vanderhaeghen, a professor of medicine at VIB-KU Leuven, in collaboration [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7446","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"A team of international researchers has uncovered a significant link between two human-specific genes and crucial genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, offering new hope for understanding and potentially treating conditions like autism and intellectual disabilities. In a study published in Neuron, researchers led by Pierre Vanderhaeghen, a professor of medicine at VIB-KU Leuven, in collaboration&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7446"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7446\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7543,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7446\/revisions\/7543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}