Buried Treasure? Overlooked and Newly Discovered Evolutionary Contributions to Human Brain Diseases.
review · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40964844.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1002/ana.78030 and PMC identifier 12682948.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC-ND.
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Abstract
Clinical neuroscience focuses on the mechanisms of brain function, but this approach falls short of insights into how the central nervous system (CNS) evolved, both in health and disease. Here, we discuss evolutionary concepts relevant to understanding human brain diseases, on the genetic, subcellular, cellular, connectomic, behavioral, and cultural levels. By revisiting common neurological diseases, we discuss evolved residues from our ancestors, mechanisms of exaptation, antagonistic pleiotropy, and human longevity with the consequent outpacing of biological evolution by cultural evolution. An evolution-based conceptual framework can propel transdisciplinary research targeting the constraints imposed by and compensatory adaptations involved in human-specific neurological diseases. ANN NEUROL 2025;98:1178-1195.
Medical subject headings
- Biological Evolution
- Brain Diseases