Genetic analysis of the brain of a Turkish patient revealed a startling discovery – the patient’s brain lacked the folds in the cerebral cortex that characterise most human brains (shown above in the left panel). Human and other large mammals have folds in their brain (above right) that increase the surface area of the cortex which, in turn increases your intelligence. This particular human specimen was smooth and resembled the brain of a smaller, less intelligent mammal. Looking closely at the genetics of this one patient, the scientists were able to identify two changes in a single gene (LAMC3) responsible for this smooth defect.
Brain research is still in its early stages and the process behind this folding is still a mystery. With this discovery, we now know there is at least one gene that makes us smarter than the average household mouse. [Foxnews]
Roland
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 3:04 PMCan I provide a list of people to test?
Anne
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 3:16 PMhas anyone noticed that the brain on the left appears to be distorting the skull shape into the typical occipital bun of Neanderthals?
Jack
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 4:26 PMSo that kid who always looked like a monkey, could have a monkey-like brain too?
He certainly acted like one.
Acts* years on, still.
ozoneocean
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 3:26 AMThis is how we explain that species of over muscled men with bad haircuts and wearing tracksuit pants who hang around service stations and shopping centres at all hours.
Ash
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 10:24 AMIt would be interesting for them to do these tests based on age group, race/nationality, gender, religious following and diet (eg, vegetarian vs nonveg vs vegan, etc).