Human Brain Genes Increase Lab Mice Intelligence
- 10 years ago
Laboratory mice have been shown to develop a different kind of intelligence after scientists genetically modified them to have a human brain gene. Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology have done the first study on humanizing the brain of another species using an isolated gene call Foxp2, which is related to speech and language in humans.
Laboratory mice have been shown to develop a different kind of intelligence after scientists genetically modified them to have a human brain gene.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have done the first study on humanizing the brain of another species using an isolated gene call Foxp2, which is related to speech and language in humans.
For the study, hundreds of mice that were genetically engineered to have Foxp2 were put into a maze to find chocolate using landmarks of objects around the lab, and different kinds of flooring.
Mice with the human brain gene were better at solving the maze when both navigation tools were present, which scientists say shows a trait called cognitive flexibility.
Ann Graybiel, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who worked on the study, is quoted as saying: "No one knows how the brain makes transitions from thinking about something consciously to doing it unconsciously. But mice with the human form of Foxp2 did much better."
If Foxp2 helps with cognitive flexibility, that might explain its role in humans developing language and speech ability.
Experts think that it helps children transition from consciously imitating sounds to speaking automatically.
Laboratory mice have been shown to develop a different kind of intelligence after scientists genetically modified them to have a human brain gene.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have done the first study on humanizing the brain of another species using an isolated gene call Foxp2, which is related to speech and language in humans.
For the study, hundreds of mice that were genetically engineered to have Foxp2 were put into a maze to find chocolate using landmarks of objects around the lab, and different kinds of flooring.
Mice with the human brain gene were better at solving the maze when both navigation tools were present, which scientists say shows a trait called cognitive flexibility.
Ann Graybiel, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who worked on the study, is quoted as saying: "No one knows how the brain makes transitions from thinking about something consciously to doing it unconsciously. But mice with the human form of Foxp2 did much better."
If Foxp2 helps with cognitive flexibility, that might explain its role in humans developing language and speech ability.
Experts think that it helps children transition from consciously imitating sounds to speaking automatically.