Placenta hormones may have driven human brain evolution
A new study suggests that placenta hormones may have played an important role in the development of the human brain. Researchers at the University of South California found that some genes related to brain growth and development are affected by placental signals during pregnancy. These hormones appear to guide how neurons are formed and organized, especially in neocortex - part of the brain responsible for logic, language and sensory perception. The study compared humane placental genes in other primates and found unique expression patterns in humans, which may explain the cognitive progression of our species. Researchers suggested that this placenta-brain connection can be an important evolutionary development that separates people. Understanding this link can also provide insight into neurovaluate disorders such as autism. Conclusions ignore the placenta, but highlight the powerful role of shaping the brain during early development and possibly in full development.
Read full Story »Disclaimer: This preview includes title, image, and description automatically sourced from the original website (www.earth.com) using publicly available metadata / OG tags. All rights, including copyright and content ownership, remain with the original publisher. If you are the content owner and wish to request removal, please contact us from your official email to no_reply@newspaperhunt.com.
