Human brain is two separate organs
8 hours ago
- New research reveals the brain is two distinct organs that evolved independently, not a single unified organ.
- The forebrain and hindbrain arise from different progenitor cells early in development, contradicting the previous model of a common origin.
- The hindbrain controls essential automatic functions like breathing and heartbeat, while the forebrain handles higher-level thinking.
- Scientists have struggled to grow hindbrain neurons in the lab, but this discovery enables their production, aiding the study of diseases like SMA and ALS.
- The two-origin pattern is evolutionarily ancient, found in chickens, zebrafish, and acorn worms, dating back over 500 million years.
- Growing hindbrain neurons in a dish opens new avenues for understanding brain stem disorders and potential treatments, including connections to obesity drugs.