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.
Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1, New Zealand. mcorballis@myrealbox.com
Michael C
MC
Corballis
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