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   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Genes for learning and memory are 650 million years old    
      
     Date:   
         July 14, 2023   
     Source:   
         University of Leicester   
     Summary:   
         Scientists have discovered that the genes required for learning,   
         memory, aggression and other complex behaviors originated around   
         650 million years ago.   
      
      
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   A team of scientists led by researchers from the University of Leicester   
   have discovered that the genes required for learning, memory, aggression   
   and other complex behaviours originated around 650 million years ago.   
      
   The findings led by Dr Roberto Feuda, from the Neurogenetic group in the   
   Department of Genetics and Genome Biology and other colleagues from the   
   University of Leicester and the University of Fribourg (Switzerland),   
   have now been published in Nature Communications.   
      
   Dr Feuda said: "We've known for a long time that monoamines like   
   serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline act as neuromodulators in the nervous   
   system, playing a role in complex behaviour and functions like learning   
   and memory, as well as processes such as sleep and feeding.   
      
   "However, less certain was the origin of the genes required for the   
   production, detection, and degradation of these monoamines. Using the   
   computational methods, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of these   
   genes and show that most of the genes involved in monoamine production,   
   modulation, and reception originated in the bilaterian stem group.   
      
   "This finding has profound implications on the evolutionary origin of   
   complex behaviours such as those modulated by monoamines we observe in   
   humans and other animals."  The authors suggest that this new way to   
   modulate neuronal circuits might have played a role in the Cambrian   
   Explosion -- known as the Big Bang -- which gave rise to the largest   
   diversification of life for most major animal groups alive today by   
   providing flexibility of the neural circuits to facilitate the interaction   
   with the environment.   
      
   Dr Feuda added: "This discovery will open new important research avenues   
   that will clarify the origin of complex behaviours and if the same   
   neurons modulate reward, addiction, aggression, feeding, and sleep."   
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   Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Leicester. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Matthew Goulty, Gaelle Botton-Amiot, Ezio Rosato, Simon G. Sprecher,   
         Roberto Feuda. The monoaminergic system is a bilaterian innovation.   
      
         Nature Communications, 2023; 14 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39030-2   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230714114804.htm   
      
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