Scientists have discovered a tiny difference in brain chemistry that may explain why modern humans are uniquely human. Researchers studied the ADSL gene, which is responsible for producing an enzyme involved in brain function. When they introduced a version of this gene into mice, they found that female mice with the human version were more efficient at seeking water.
This finding suggests that subtle changes to brain biochemistry may have given early humans an evolutionary advantage. The researchers believe that these changes may have played a key role in the survival and success of modern humans, while their Neanderthal cousins went extinct.
The discovery is also linked to rare mutations in the ADSL gene, which can cause brain dysfunction and symptoms similar to autism and seizures. However, the study suggests that even smaller changes to this gene may have conferred a cognitive or behavioral advantage.
While the findings are promising, they are not definitive answers to the question of human uniqueness. More research is needed to fully understand the implications of this discovery. Nevertheless, it highlights the complex interplay between genetics and brain function in shaping human behavior and evolution.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025/08/04/neanderthal-human-brain-chemistry-difference