Our brain cells have different genomes from one another. The study shows for the first time that mutations in somatic cells -- that is, any cell in the body except sperm and eggs -- are present in significant numbers in the brains of healthy people. These mutations appear to occur more often in the genes a neuron uses most. Patterns of mutation allow researchers to trace brain cell lineages.
Our brain cells have different genomes from one another. The study shows for the first time that mutations in somatic cells -- that is, any cell in the body except sperm and eggs -- are present in significant numbers in the brains of healthy people. These mutations appear to occur more often in the genes a neuron uses most. Patterns of mutation allow researchers to trace brain cell lineages.
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