Brain gene activity changes through life

A recent article in Science News reports on research conducted by Nenad Šestan of Yale University School of Medicine.  The aim of Šestan’s research was to find out how brain activity changes from before birth to old age.  To do this, Šestan measured levels of mRNA in samples of brain that differed in age; DNA was not the focus of this study because virtually every cell’s genetic material is the same.  In his research, 57 brains were sampled and examined for levels of mRNA.  Concurrently, another study headed by Joel Kleinman of the National Institute of Mental Health examined the brains of 269 samples.  In both studies, it was found that the prenatal brain had high levels of mRNA: during the prenatal phase of one’s life cycle, many genes are synthesizing the production of mRNA.  Curiously, however, the brain abruptly slows in the production of mRNA; it picks back up again late in one’s life.  The increase in brain activity that occurs late into one’s life appears to be related to genes involved in linking up nerve cells.  In addition to these findings, researchers believe that differences in gene behavior may influence the development of certain disorders in males.  For example, some of the genes busier in a male’s early development appear to be related to disorders like schizophrenia and autism, diseases known to be more prevalent in men.  The researchers are still a long way from knowing exactly which cells are responsible for gene behavior differences, but their continued studies are important for understanding the complexities that lead to certain disorders.  Both researchers plan on conducting more studies and some will be looking to include brains of people with schizophrenia and autism.