New Study Challenges Long-Held Belief About How the Brain Forms
What Happened
A Stanford-led study has found that the human brain develops from two distinct types of progenitor cells, rather than from a single common origin as previously believed. Researchers say the forebrain and midbrain, responsible for language, consciousness and reasoning, arise from one developmental pathway, while the hindbrain (brain stem), which controls breathing, heartbeat and other vital functions, develops through a separate pathway. The findings were published in Nature Neuroscience.
Key Takeaways
The research does not mean the brain is literally split into two independent organs today, but it suggests that it evolved from two ancient nervous systems that develop separately before integrating into a single functioning brain. The discovery could help scientists better study conditions such as ALS and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), especially by making it easier to grow and analyze hard-to-study hindbrain neurons in the lab.