Gene,USP9X, is the Leading Cause of Intellectual Disabilities

The human brain is very extraordinary, yet very difficult to understand. Researchers have been studying the human brain for years, and some things still remain very much misunderstood and unknown, such as Alzheimer disease. In this article, research was done by the University of Adelaide,and it confirms that there is a gene that plays a major role in brain development. This gene is called USP9X,and it is the gene that is responsible for brain development in the early stages. Believe it or not, the development of the brain during the embryonic stage is very critical because USP9X is very much so the brain's framework. If this gene mutates during this time, then that person will have intellectual disabilities, and will not have a normal functioning brain. The brain works very much as a networking system, and everything has to function normally to work. Even though early stages are critical, It is whenever this gene, USP9X, undergoes mutations that the brain will inevitable lead to intellectual disabilities. These disabilities can be related to autism. 
I find this research to be very astonishing and it shines some light into our future. It is great that researchers are finally beginning to collect enough data, such as studying real life cases with people who suffer from intellectual disabilities. Hopefully in the near future, they will be able to find a way to stop this gene from mutating. It is a very challenging task, I know, especially since the brain is a very complex organ, but if this gene can stop undergoing mutation, then their would be less intellectual disabilities, and people could live happier and healthier lives.

Critical Role of One Gene to Our Brain Development

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have confirmed that a gene linked to intellectual disability is critical to the earliest stages of the development of human brains. The gene is known as USP9X, has been investigated by Adelaide researchers for decades but only recently have they discovered the importance of the gene. Located on the X-chromosome, USP9X controls both the initial generation of the nerve cells from stem cells, and also their ability to connect with one another and form the proper networks. In a new paper published by the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute in the American Journal of Human Genetics, explains how a mutations in the USP9X gene are associated with mental disabilities and that these mutations can be inherited from one generation to the next. This is the same gene that has also been found to stop the spread of pancreatic cancer just by reactivating it. 

This is a great step toward learning how the brain works. If we can continue to discover how the brain develops and what genes cause certain disorders, we can be able to cure many of these disorders that cause people to suffer everyday. Also, we are now seeing that USP9X is a very important gene for our development so if we continue to research this gene, who knows what else we can discover.