DNA find sheds light on human brain

Brain cells alter their genetic make-up during a person's lifetime, scientists have found. The discovery could shed light on neurological diseases. This research completely overturns the belief that the genetic make-up of brain cells remains static throughout life and provides us with new information about how the brain works. Geoff Faulkner The Roslin Institute - Retrotransposons. University researchers have identified genes - known as retrotransposons - responsible for thousands of tiny changes in the DNA of brain tissue. The scientists from The Roslin Institute found that the genes were particularly active in areas of the brain linked to cell renewal. Mapping the locations of these retrotransposons in the human genome could help identify mutations that impact on brain function and that may cause diseases to develop.