ABSTRACT
Human brain evolution, characterized by significant increases in size, complexity, and cognitive
abilities, is a defining feature of our species. This mini-review synthesizes current understanding
of the genetic underpinnings of these evolutionary changes. Specifically, the review highlight key
genes implicated in neurodevelopment, neuronal migration, synaptic plasticity, and overall brain
size regulation. Beyond individual genes, the study explore the critical role of regulatory
mechanisms, including enhancers, non-coding RNAs, and epigenetic modifications, in
orchestrating the expression of these genes in a spatio-temporal manner during brain development.
These regulatory changes are crucial drivers of the evolutionary divergence observed between
human and non-human primate brains. By examining both gene-centric and regulatory
perspectives, this review aims to provide a concise overview of the molecular genetics underlying
the unique trajectory of human brain evolution, alongside identifying gaps in our knowledge and
directions for future research.
Keywords: Genes, Regulatory Regulatory mechanism, Enhancer, Epigenetics, Brain Size.
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