Research on fruit flies helps to better understand diseases of the human nervous system. Phot6o: Swen Reichhold
Research on fruit flies helps to better understand diseases of the human nervous system. Phot6o: Swen Reichhold - When genes mutate, this can lead to severe diseases of the human nervous system. Researchers at Leipzig University and the University of Würzburg have now used fruit flies to demonstrate how, apart from the negative effect, the mutation of a neuronal gene can have a positive effect - namely higher IQ in humans. They have published the discovery in the prestigious journal "Brain". Synapses are the contact points in the brain via which nerve cells 'talk' to each other. Disturbances in this communication lead to diseases of the nervous system, since altered synaptic proteins, for example, can impair this complex molecular mechanism. This can result in mild symptoms, but also very severe disabilities in those affected.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
