FOXP2 and the mirror system.
An inherited deficit in spoken language has been associated with a mutation in the forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) gene on chromosome 7. A recent functional magnetic resonance imaging study has linked the deficit to underactivity in Broca's area during word generation, which in turn suggests a possible link between FOXP2 and the mirror-neuron system observed in the primate homologue of Broca's area. This link might have implications for the evolution of Broca's area and its role in speech.
Corballis
Michael C
MC
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1, New Zealand. mcorballis@myrealbox.com
D000818:Animals; D001039:Aphasia, Broca / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D019974:Pan paniscus; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D010802:Phylogeny; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
C465448:FOXP2 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors