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evolutionary neuroscience

This is a statue of the evolution of humans

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 13, 2022·3 min read

Modern Humans Co-existed With Neanderthals

A new modeling study reports modern humans may have co-existed with Neanderthals in France and Northern Spain between 1,400 and 2,900 years before the Neanderthals became extinct.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 6, 2022·4 min read

Neanderthal DNA May Provide Clues About the Genetic Risks for Brain Disorders and Addiction

Traits with the strongest Neanderthal DNA contribution were sleep patterns, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 27, 2022·4 min read

Enemy Turned Ally: Ancient Viral Genes Protect the Brain Against New Infections

Two mouse genes that were left behind by viral infections millions of years ago have evolved to help defend the brain against new infections.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 25, 2022·5 min read

Why Do We Laugh? New Study Considers Possible Evolutionary Reasons Behind This Very Human Behaviour

Researchers say laughter may have been preserved by natural selection to assist with human survival.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 20, 2022·5 min read

Wolves Can Show Attachment Toward Humans

Wolves, like dogs, prefer the presence of a familiar person over that of a stranger. Familiarity with a human has a positive and calming impact on a wolf's social behavior.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·September 18, 2022·4 min read

Like Genes, Your Gut Microbes Pass From One Generation to the Next

Not only did microbes diversify within early modern human hosts as they traveled and settled in different geographical locations, they also followed human evolution by limiting themselves to the gut.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 13, 2022·3 min read

The Gene to Which We Owe Our Big Brain

The ARHGAP11B gene played a critical role in the development of the human neocortex during evolution.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 8, 2022·5 min read

Modern Humans Generate More Brain Neurons Than Neanderthals

Study reveals greater neuron production in the modern human frontal lobe during development compared to the Neanderthal brain. Researchers say this is due to a change in a single amino acid in the TKTL1 protein.

This map shows where the samples were found

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 6, 2022·5 min read

DNA in Viking Poop Sheds New Light on 55,000-Year-Old Relationship Between Gut Companions

Stool samples taken from Viking latrines allowed researchers to map the genome of the Whipworm parasite. The study maps the parasite's global spread and relationship with human beings.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·September 3, 2022·5 min read

Axolotls Can Regenerate Their Brains

Axolotls have the ability to regenerate brain areas following an injury. Researchers have mapped cell types and genes associated with neurodegeneration in the axolotl brain, discovering some similarities in the human brain. The findings could pave the way for new neurodegenerative therapies.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 2, 2022·4 min read

Dragons and Brain Evolution

Researchers created a molecular atlas of the bearded dragon's brain and compared it to the mouse brain. Findings reveal, contrary to popular belief, mammalian brains consist of an ancient reptilian brain supplemented with new mammalian features. Both reptilian and mammalian brains evolved their own clade-specific neuron types and circuits from a common ancestral set.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 2, 2022·3 min read

When Humans Gesture, They Activate an Ancient Connection Between Movement and Breathing

A new study sheds light on why humans often use hand movements while talking. Researchers report rhythmic hand gestures affect rib cage movements, leading to a change in lung volume and ultimately aspects of the voice. Infants connect early vocal babbling with hand gestures, demonstrating an early connection between movement and vocal production.