Discover the cause of schizophrenia and autism

In a study to explore the evolution of humanity, Belgian scientists have discovered the gene NOTCH2NL appears in humans due to genetic mutations, and this is also the cause.

Gene NOTCH2NL regulates the number of neurons in the brain.

According to NCBI, Brussels Free University of Belgium scientists say it is possible to explain an increase in the human brain with one activated in the developing embryonic stage. It is at this stage that the basic development of the brain takes place. Scientists have tried to find genes that only humans have and absolutely not in animals.

According to Professor Pierre Vanderhagen, first of all is NOTCH2NL gene . It is known that the "ancestor" of the modern NOTCH gene is found in animals. These genes regulate the number of neurons in the brain. Obviously, at some point, there was a problem in modern ancestors - the NOTCH gene was duplicated. Then, 3 million years ago, in the Southern Australopithecine gibbon, another false replication occurred for a piece of DNA and the NOTCH2NL gene appeared.

It is this gene that has led to a sharp increase in the number of neurons, causing changes in the parts of the brain that control speech, visual thinking and creativity.

However, Belgian scientists also admitted that 3 million years is not enough for these genetic programs to operate without any problems. In particular, because certain problems have led to small headaches (microcephaly - reduced size of the skull and brain) and enlarged head (macrocephaly - increased skull and brain size), schizophrenia and autism .