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Human CLOCK gene enhances brain connectivity and mental flexibility in mice, study finds

Human CLOCK gene enhances brain connectivity and mental flexibility in mice, study finds
Example images of excitatory neurons from the cerebral cortexes of humanized mice showing how the neurons from the humanized mice grew more dendrites. Credit: Dr. Yuxiang Liu

Clock genes are a set of genes known to contribute to the regulation of the human body’s internal 24-hour cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. One of these genes is the so-called CLOCK gene, a protein that regulates the activity of other genes, contributing to recurrent patterns of sleep and wakefulness.

Past findings suggest that this gene is also expressed in the neocortex, a brain region that supports important cognitive abilities, including reasoning, decision-making and the processing of language. However, the gene’s possible contribution to these specific brain functions remains poorly understood.

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