Like mice, humans with mutations in the DLG2 gene made significantly more errors than healthy control subjects in tests of visual discrimination acquisition...
Researchers have identified the moment in history when the genes that enabled us to think and reason evolved.
This point 500 million years ago provided our ability to learn complex skills, analyze situations and have flexibility in the way in which we think.
According to Professor Seth Grant of the University of Edinburgh, who led the research, intelligence in humans developed as the result of an increase in the number of brain genes in our evolutionary ancestors: a simple invertebrate animal living in the sea 500 million years ago experienced a “genetic accident,” which resulted in extra copies of these genes being made.
Mice and humans share limitations of higher mental functions’
This animal’s descendants benefited from these extra genes, leading to behaviorally sophisticated vertebrates — including humans.
The research team studied the mental abilities of mice and humans, using comparative tasks that involved identifying objects on touch-screen computers.
Researchers then combined results of these behavioral tests with information from the genetic codes of various species to work out when different behaviors evolved.
They found that higher mental functions in humans and mice were controlled by the same genes.
Genetic causes of brain disorders
The study also showed that when these genes were mutated or damaged, they impaired higher mental functions. “Our work shows that the price of higher intelligence and more complex behaviors is more mental illness,” said Professor Grant.
“This ground breaking work has implications for how we understand the emergence of psychiatric disorders and will offer new avenues for the development of new treatments,” said John Williams, Head of Neuroscience and Mental Health at the Wellcome Trust, one of the study funders.
The researchers had previously shown that more than 100 childhood and adult brain diseases are caused by gene mutations.
“We can now apply genetics and behavioral testing to help patients with these diseases”, said Dr Tim Bussey from Cambridge University, which was also involved in the study.
The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and European Union.
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