'Proof' our brains are evolving

University scientists say they have found strong proof that the human brain is still evolving.



By comparing modern man with our ancestors of 37,000 years ago, the Chicago team discovered big changes in two genes linked to brain size.

One of the new variants emerged only 5,800 years ago yet is present in 30% of today's humans, they believe.

This is very short in evolutionary terms, suggesting intense selection pressures, they told Science.

Survival benefit

Each gene variant emerged around the same time as the advent of so called "cultural" behaviours.

The microcephalin variant appeared along with the emergence of traits such as art and music, religious practices and sophisticated tool-making techniques, which date back to about 50,000 years ago.

It is now present in about 70% of humans alive today.

The other, called the ASPM variant, originated at a time that coincides with the spread of agriculture, settled cities and the first record of written language.

Researcher Dr Bruce Lahn said the big question was whether the genetic evolution seen had actually caused the cultural evolution of humans or was merely chance.

Their hunch is that it might have something to do with the important role that these genes play in brain size, but stressed that did not necessarily mean better intelligence.

"Just because these genes are still evolving doesn't necessarily mean they make you any smarter," said Dr Lahn.

Ongoing changes

But he added: "Our studies indicate that the trend that is the defining characteristic of human evolution - the growth of brain size and complexity - is likely still ongoing.

"If our species survives for another million years or so, I would imagine that the brain by then would show significant structural differences from the human brain of today."

The researchers said the next step was to examine whether biological differences imparted by the genetic differences caused natural selection to favour that variation over others.

They must have conferred some evolutionary advantage, such as a desired change in cognition, personality, motor control or resilience to neurological or psychiatric diseases, they said.

Dr Geraint Rees, a cognitive neurologist at University College London and Wellcome Trust senior research fellow, said: "It's very interesting.

"I do find it surprising that they can pinpoint these changes to a point relatively recently in evolutionary history.

"It gives us a clue to perhaps follow up on and try and understand why they emerged at that time and what the consequences were."

He said it would be too big a leap now to conclude that the genetic changes were responsible for some of the cultural changes we have seen, such as the emergence of agriculture. "But that's a tantalising prospect," he said.

Interesting Whoa...
Could you provide me with sourse of this info.
Thanks

Here`s the link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4222460.stm

It's been on my news too, our brains are getting bigger

Unfortunately it is happening to some more than others...

For some reason I feel offended... but do not know why...

Present company excepted, of course...

I thought mods were spose to be nice to their fellow posters

My comment was just a joke, and not pointed at anyone in particular; I am sorry if you thought I was referring to you. That was not my intention.

The man is right our minds are still ever evolving. we use any where from 5-10% of our brain power if we could tap in to that other 90% think about what would happen it would be cool man

Interesting comment.
I have heard that we use up to 40%, and when I have given this number, all hell breaks out. some say 100 some 10%. Does anyone know this one for sure.
Where did you get the 5-10% figure?
Could evolution be based on brain function and our ability to utilize more.
Dunno, but one hell of a question IMO.

The whole 10% thing is just a myth. Supposedly we use 100% according to neurologists. But I doubt this.

We use the whole of our brain mass; but we dont use it to its potential. Think of it like a normal muscle- when you lift something with your arm, you use the whole of your bicep but you dont always use its full potential. Something like that anyway

Oooo i say. Yeah, i agree. Isnt it we use all of our brain but only 10% of its potential...not that we use only 10% of our brains. Yeah, Probably a myth but...meh.

First of all, interesting story/topic.

I think T-Nemesis said it best:
The brain has natural filtering devices in play most of the time, and they don't allow 100% utilization. Sometimes these filters can be bypassed to an extent, but that is usually in states of non-optimal brain function. Two examples being, when someone stays awake for more than three days, or when someone eats hallucinogenic mushrooms. In the case of being awake too long, the brain wears down and looses the ability to filter information, this causes hallucinations. Also chemicals are released that tell your body that you are dreaming, but you are really still awake. This is how insomnia drives people crazy. In the case of the mushrooms, the psillocyban (spelling?) acts like a chemical that naturally occurs in the body so it has many receptors already in the brain. Once the chemical effect sets in, your brain stops filtering information as efficiently. When your pupils dilate, you are unable to filter the light, and the same sort of thing happens to your brain with information...all of your sensory information is given similar priority, so instead of just focusing mainly on sight and sound, your mind also gives that same attention to touch, taste, smell as well as the constant chatter of the inner voice. It is overwhelming for some people, but some people do it and describe things like the yogi's see. This makes me think that maybe the experience is only 25% hallucination and 75% sensory information that normally gets filtered, and maybe the yogis just have different methods for achieving the same ability to overcome their minds natural filters.

The point of all that is: We probably do use more than just 10% of our brain, that "10%" might just be a reflection of efficiency. Functionally every part of the brain "lights up" on a scan, and theoretically has a function, or a role in that function. Sadly, the information generated or collected in those parts of the brain, is most likely filtered dependant upon our individual capacities to process information. The ability to process is probably best summed up by the weightlifting analogy. Everyone is born with a certain capacity, but with training the function can be dramatically improved.

On a side note, if there is this 70%/ 30% ratio in the population today, does that mean A) that there are in fact two sub species of homo sapiens? and/or B ) That stupidity seems to have the evolutionary advantage?

I wonder if I have the gene variant...

Did you know that our brains have enough gray matter to know every single peice of information in the universe, and then some? The only problem is that we don't live long enough to learn it all

"don't live long enough to learn it all"

not yet.... but maybe one day.