Human Brain Evolution Driven by Specialized Gene Expression, Study Finds
New research reveals that differences in gene expression, not just genetic makeup, underlie the complexity and specialization of human brain cells compared to other primates.
- Scientists found that human brain cells exhibit higher and more specialized gene expression compared to chimpanzees and macaques, despite sharing over 95% of the genome with chimpanzees.
- The study identified differences in the expression of 5–10% of the 25,000 genes analyzed, with the percentage increasing to 12–15% when examining specific cell subtypes.
- Glial cells, particularly oligodendrocytes, showed significant gene expression differences, contributing to faster and more efficient neural signaling in humans.
- The findings suggest that the evolution of human intelligence and brain complexity required not only neuron diversity but also advancements in supporting cell types like glial cells.
- Researchers plan to expand the study to other brain regions and investigate gene expression differences with archaic humans like Neanderthals and Denisovans.
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