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Grantee: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
Project Lead: Todd M. Preuss, Ph.D.Co-PIs: Daniel Povinelli, Scott Frey, and Daniel Geschwind
Grant Title: Interrogating the Genome to Uncover Human Specializations of the Brain and Cognition
Program Area: Bridging Brain, Mind & Behavior
Grant Type: Collaborative Activity Award
Year Awarded: 2002
Project Summary:
Despite behavioral evidence supporting the contrary, much of neuroscientific research is carried out assuming that the neural architecture of the brain, and especially of the cerebral cortex, is fundamentally similar across mammalian species. It is now becoming undeniable that evolution has produced important changes in brain organization even among closely-related species. There must be modifications of the brain supporting human cognition and behavior such as language, handedness, and theory of mind, but we do not yet know how evolution modified the human brain to support these functional specializations.
Comparative research combining the tools of genomics, detailed anatomical characterizations, and thoughtfully designed behavioral studies offers an opportunity to ask questions about human specializations across different levels of biological organization. To be most productive, however, such studies require the interactive collaboration of scientists with different domains of interest and expertise.
For this collaborative, the investigators will take an integrated approach, focusing on the pattern of gene-expression differences and the possible organism consequences of that pattern. By working together, the investigators’ combined expertise in genomics, neuroscience, and cognitive science, will inform and constrain the design of the experiments and the interpretation of the results.