You may recall that DNA consists of a 64-letter (codon) alphabet
and that a mutation involves a change in the 'spelling' of one or more genes. ENIGMA
researchers screened millions of 'spelling differences' in the
genetic codes they analyzed trying to identify which ones impacted the size of
key parts of the brain. They used magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from 30,717
individuals. This MRI analysis focused on genetic data from seven regions of
the brain that coordinate movement, learning, memory, and motivation. The
researchers identified eight genetic variants associated with decreased brain
volume. Apparently,
individuals who carry one of those eight mutations had, on average, smaller
brain regions than brains without a mutation but of comparable age. Some of the
genes appear to be implicated in cancer and mental illness.
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