Research identifies genetic variant linked to evolution of human speech

New research has identified a unique genetic variant in the NOVA1 protein that may have influenced the development of human speech. This variant, not found in Neanderthals or Denisovans, was introduced into mice, resulting in altered vocalizations. The study analyzed over 650,000 human genomes, revealing that nearly all modern humans carry this variant, suggesting its evolutionary importance. Researchers aim to further explore its connections to language disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions. The findings indicate that the NOVA1 variant may have played a significant role in the evolution of vocal communication in humans, marking a distinct genetic change from our closest relatives.