'Residual echo' of ancient humans in scans may hold clues to mental disorders
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 09:32
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have produced the first direct evidence that parts of our brains implicated in mental disorders may be shaped by a 'residual echo' from Neanderthal DNA in our genomes. Evidence from MRI scans suggests that such ancient genetic variation may affect the way our brains work today -- and may hold clues to understanding deficits seen in schizophrenia and autism-related disorders.