Post by healthy11 on Sept 15, 2014 23:23:15 GMT -5
medicalxpress.com/news/2014-09-neuroscientists-key-role-language-gene.html
Foxp2 is one of several genes that scientists believe may have contributed to the development of linguistic skills....The protein produced by Foxp2 is a transcription factor, meaning that it turns other genes on and off. In this study, the researchers found that Foxp2 appears to turn on genes involved in the regulation of synaptic connections between neurons. They also found enhanced dopamine activity in a part of the striatum that is involved in forming procedures. In addition, the neurons of some striatal regions could be turned off for longer periods in response to prolonged activation—a phenomenon known as long-term depression, which is necessary for learning new tasks and forming memories. Together, these changes help to "tune" the brain differently to adapt it to speech and language acquisition, the researchers believe. They are now further investigating how Foxp2 may interact with other genes to produce its effects on learning and language.
Foxp2 is one of several genes that scientists believe may have contributed to the development of linguistic skills....The protein produced by Foxp2 is a transcription factor, meaning that it turns other genes on and off. In this study, the researchers found that Foxp2 appears to turn on genes involved in the regulation of synaptic connections between neurons. They also found enhanced dopamine activity in a part of the striatum that is involved in forming procedures. In addition, the neurons of some striatal regions could be turned off for longer periods in response to prolonged activation—a phenomenon known as long-term depression, which is necessary for learning new tasks and forming memories. Together, these changes help to "tune" the brain differently to adapt it to speech and language acquisition, the researchers believe. They are now further investigating how Foxp2 may interact with other genes to produce its effects on learning and language.