Cited by 55Genetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersLanguage and cultural evolutionGenomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities

The Molecular Basis of Human Brain Evolution

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Enard, Wolfgang·2016·Current Biology

Abstract

Humans are a remarkable species, especially because of the remarkable properties of their brain. Since the split from the chimpanzee lineage, the human brain has increased three-fold in size and has acquired abilities for vocal learning, language and intense cooperation. To better understand the molecular basis of these changes is of great biological and biomedical interest. However, all the about 16 million fixed genetic changes that occurred during human evolution are fully correlated with all molecular, cellular, anatomical and behavioral changes that occurred during this time. Hence, as humans and chimpanzees cannot be crossed or genetically manipulated, no direct evidence for linking particular genetic and molecular changes to human brain evolution can be obtained. Here, I sketch a framework how indirect evidence can be obtained and review findings related to the molecular basis of human cognition, vocal learning and brain size. In particular, I discuss how a comprehensive comparative approach, leveraging cellular systems and genomic technologies, could inform the evolution of our brain in the future.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.030

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Authors
Enard, W.
Affiliations
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
Corresponding author
Enard, Wolfgang
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-10
Volume
26
Issue
20
Pages
R1109-R1117
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2534453667
Cited by
55
References
129
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 1 · 2013: 1
FWCI
0.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Language and cultural evolution
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities
Keywords
human brain evolution, human-chimpanzee divergence, brain size increase, vocal learning, language evolution, human cognition, comparative genomics, comparative neurobiology
MeSH terms
Brain, Cognition, Biological Evolution, Humans, Language, Organ Size, Evolution, Molecular

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