A collaboration between German and Japanese research teams has shown that a gene specific to humans causes marmoset monkeys to grow larger, folded, brains. Wieland Huttner has been studying ARHGAP11B for years. This human-specific gene underwent a single mutation between 1.5 million and 500,000 years ago which gave it a whole new function linked to brain size. “Such point mutations occur relatively frequently, but in … Continue reading The size and folding of the foetal brain have been increased in marmosets by insertion of the ARHGAP11B gene

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease. This condition is caused by the death of a specific set of neurons (nerve cells) in the brain: the dopamine-producing neurons. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter – a chemical used by neurons to signal to one another. People with Parkinson’s initially experience small tremors in their hands, but as they lose more and more neurons, they eventually have … Continue reading One-time treatment generates new neurons and reverses Parkinson’s disease in mice