brain evolution

A single amino acid substitution in a protein causes increased neuron production in the frontal lobes of humans compared to Neanderthals—a tiny difference that could have given our species a cognitive edge, researchers say.

A research group argues that a species’ number of neurons, rather than brain volume, should serve as indicator of cognitive capacity when studying brain evolution, but some experts voice doubts.

Dampwood termites with the potential to leave the colony have larger optic lobes before ever being exposed to different visual environments, an example of predictive brain plasticity.

The skull changed shape in different ways than the brain during evolution, according to a new comparative study.

An analysis of the contours of more than 600 kids’ brains points to links between cerebral surface area and heritability in regions of the brain important in cognition.  

Three members of a gene family called NOTCH2NL may have been involved in the evolution of humans’ big cortex.

Authors of a new study suggest that 520-million-year-old structures, previously identified as the brains of ancient arthropods, are instead preserved microbial biofilms.

The results of a historical primate behavior analysis suggest that species with fruit-filled diets evolved larger brains.

Humans burn calories faster than any other primate, researchers report.

Exceptional neural fossil preservation helps answer questions about ancient arthropod evolution.

A new study shows that kangaroos are predominantly left-handed.

Researchers map the expression patterns of 1,000 genes in the human brain.

The human brain is an organized, 3D grid composed of elegant, ribbon-like fibers.

Gene expression controlled from afar may have spurred the spurt in brain evolution that led to modern humans.