Genome of the Brain

By Mine G.

Have you ever thought how a person can gain or increase cognitive abilities? Are there some parts in our body that positively affect our skills?


Your answer is probably “Yes, our brain.” And yes, you are right. However, what is special about the brain?


For years, scientist claimed there is a positive relation between the brain size and effectiveness of our cognitive skills. Studies now lead us new clues about our brain. According to the neurologists, our brains differ in size resulted from genetic mutations in some parts of our brain.


Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) are working on a project that may explain the genetic variation between human brains in cooperation with Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics Through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA).


Within the project, nearly 300 scientists brought brain scans and genetic data together to indicate key brain regions in people from 33 countries, more than 30,000 MRI images and genetic information from different people were used.

According to the study, the fundamental reason for growing parts of the brain is the genetic factors. As a part of the research, neurologists analyzed the DNA mutations that might be related to the brain’s key regions. “Our global team discovered eight genes that may erode or boost brain tissue in people worldwide. Any change in those genes appears to alter your mental bank account or brain reserve by 2 or 3 percent. The discovery will guide research into more personalized medical treatments for Alzheimer’s, autism, depression and other disorders.” says Paul Thompson, Ph.D., Keck School of Medicine of USC professor and principal investigator of ENIGMA.



Scientists indicate that most of 8 mutations are functioning during brain development and also could be related to neurological diseases such as autism and schizophrenia. The study is considered to be a possible key for neurological disorders.

References: Trinidad, A., & Perkins, R. (2015, January 21). University of Southern California. Retrieved April 07, 2016, from https://pressroom.usc.edu/usc-neuroscientists-lead-global-enigma-consortium-to-crack-brains-genetic-code/

Images: http://womensbrainhealth.org/think-about-it/scientists-isolate-genes-that-delay-alzheimers

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/schizophrenia-shares-genetic-links-with-autism-genome-study-shows/