Organization of genes on the Brain’s surface

In a Medical News Today article, published March, 31, 2012,  states that researchers at UCLA, San Diego School of Medicine, and the VA Sane Diego Healthcare System has made an atlas of the human brain's surface, which shows that the cerebral cortex is divided into genetic sections that are different from other brain maps based on the brain's physiology or function.  The atlas can give researchers an insight on how the brain works, especially with its focus on genes. Dr. Chi-Hua Chen states that “If we can understand the genetic underpinnings of the brain, we can get a better idea of how it develops and works, information we can then use to ultimately improve treatments for diseases and disorders."

The only other atlas of the brain was based on cytoarchitecture, which is the difference in the tissues or function.  To map the brain, they used magnetic resonance imaging of 406 adult twins that were participating in the Vietnam Era Twin Registry that was investigating cognitive aging. Research showed that the genetic divisions are similar to that of other animals, providing evidence of evolution.

The genetic brain atlas can be used a tool to help scientists that look for genetic variants of a trait or disease in people. Also scientists will be able to decipher the changes of the brain and cognitive decline that are caused by aging.

I had hoped they had gone more in depth about the organization of genes on the brain.  The article itself was informative and interesting. As said in the article, we have another method of locating genetic variants in traits and diseases—also another avenue for couples for genetic counseling.