A new study published in Genome Biology suggests that mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, may be a developmental byproduct of our brain’s evolution.
Humans have the most evolved and largest brains of all the mammalian species. Furthermore, our brains evolved rapidly compared to other species; this rapid evolution may have caused some underlying instabilities in the chemical and molecular processes of our brains.
This research studied the molecular and metabolic changes of our brain’s over the span of human evolution and concluded that genes and how they are expressed tended to change as the brain evolved.
This research paves the way for a greater understanding of how the growth of our brains may have increased the occurrence of mental and psychological disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Now all we need to figure out is how to control the growth of the brain to a point where we can prevent these mental illnesses.
I don’t agree with this. If the brain could grow so quickly, why wouldn’t it grow in a way that it could support itself? Why would the brain grow and become unstable?
I was always under the impression that schizophrenia was a disease of the brain and in most instances it is hereditary.
I agree with Marla. It would seem that the evolutionary process would not only affect the rate of growth but the capacity and stability as well.
Interestingly enough, I have recently read that they have discovered the gene(s) that lead to Alzheimer’s … so if they can do this, there must be a way to stop the growth. Perhaps a combination of medication and hypnosis?
For those that disagree with this blog … remember Einstein … brilliant and a genius … but his behavior was very unorthodox. This does show that large brains can definitely lead to mental disorders. Also, how about those with autism? They have ‘remarkable’ memories for several areas … but lack in others. Is autism hereditary or does this prove the theory?
Kudos to your Carmela, and to you Michael, for an informative article. I have a son with ADHD — and I would not change this for the world. Another amazing aspect of the ‘big brain’ is that children who are affiliated with ADHD are the most sensitive, loving individuals you will ever find.
Like with any system (or machine), the larger and more complex it gets, the more can go wrong with it! As the human genome is dissected and studied, it has been found that each little part is a flag or switch that causes something to happen. In untold combinations, nobody is quite sure what can be yielded. I don’t believe that what we call a “disorder” is objective; it is subjective. There is no “Normal”, per se; so, as our brains evolve, there are simply brains that do not fit the accepted or desired pattern. Remember: from chaos comes cosmos.
With all the things that can go wrong with a body, I’m surprised that the human race has survived at all! I mean, the chance of the body being able to follow the blueprint (DNA) and come up with a final product (a person) is totally amazing! I mean, sometimes theirs little flaws in the construction, which accounts for all the different ailments out there but, overall, you have to agree that this is a rather successful design! How many BILLIONS now? More than McDonald’s has served, I daresay!
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