This is the blog for GW students taking Human Evolutionary Genetics. This site is for posting interesting tidbits on: the patterns and processes of human genetic variation;human origins and migration; molecular adaptations to environment, lifestyle and disease; ancient and forensic DNA analyses; and genealogical reconstructions.

GWHEG figure

GWHEG figure

Monday, March 2, 2020

Gene associated with autism also controls growth of the embryonic brain



Although autism spectrum disorder has a strong genetic basis, scientists today have yet to fully understand the interactions that lead to the disorder. A UCLA- led study on Foxp1, gene associated with autism, might provide new insights to the development of autism as well as other intellectual and language impairments. Previous researches on Foxp1 focus mainly on its expression in neurons that are already formed. In this new study, scientists discover that the gene becomes active in embryonic brain far earlier than previously thought. Foxp1 appears to have an intimate effect on "the ability of neural stem cells to replicate and form certain neurons in a specific sequence", according to one of the authors of the paper. This new discovery help us further investigate the potential causes and mechanism of autism.


Gene associated with autism also controls growth of the embryonic brain
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/foxp1-gene-autism-growth-embryonic-brain


Monica Cheung– March 2, 2020



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