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Genetic make-up of brain changes throughout life
31 October 2011
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Genetic research has provided new insights into how the brain works, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
A team of researchers have discovered that brain cells are capable of altering their genetic make-up over time. They found that specific parts of genes, called retrotransposons, cause lots of small changes in the DNA of brain tissue – particularly in areas associated with learning and memory.
Also, for the first time, the researchers have shown that brain cells are genetically different to other cells in the body and are also different from each other. This is contrary to the belief that the genetic make-up of brain cells stays the same throughout life.
The researchers hope that by having a better understanding of how these genetic changes happen, they will be able to find out more about how brain cells deteriorate (neurodegenerate) and contribute to disease.
Dr Virginia Warren, Assistant Medical Director for Bupa, commented: “In theory, if the researchers can find out where retrotransposons are most active, they might be able to identify changes in DNA that have an impact on brain function. It’s hoped that this may ultimately lead to the development of treatments for conditions affecting the brain.
“However, this area of research is still in its infancy and we need to be careful not to make too many assumptions. These findings provide the building blocks for understanding some basic mechanisms in the brain. They don’t provide all the answers, but it’s a good place to start.”
The brain tissue used in this study came from three donors who had no evidence of neurodegeneration. However, no information was given about the age of the donors. Five areas of the brain were screened, but only two – the hippocampus and caudate nucleus – were looked at in more detail. A number of tests were carried out to look for mutations in the DNA of the brain cells.
Key facts
- The hippocampus has a role in consolidating information from short-term memory to long-term memory.
- The caudate nucleus is involved in learning and memory.
- Neurodegeneration is when brain cells gradually become unable to work and may eventually die.
- Neurogenesis is the process of generating brain cells from stem cells, which has been shown to happen in the hippocampus.
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Read the study
Baillie JK, Barnett MW, Upton KR, et al. Somatic retrotransposition alters the genetic landscape of the human brain. Nature 2011; online first. doi:10.1038/nature10531
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