Researchers discover brain mechanism for eliminating defective neurons

A study published in the journal Nature has revealed a biological “quality control” mechanism in the human brain that identifies and eliminates neurons with genetic abnormalities. Led by pediatric neurogeneticist Dr. Diane Shao at Boston Children’s Hospital, the research analyzed over 2,300 nerve cells across a wide age range, from 14-week fetuses to individuals over 90 years old.

The study found that while more than 25% of neurons in a fetal brain possess chromosomal variations, this rate drops to approximately 6% in infants. This significant reduction suggests the brain actively liquidates neurons with disrupted genetic structures to maintain tissue quality.

Researchers observed that neurons with genetic mutations exhibit abnormal abilities to form synapses with other cells. Neuroscientists suggest the brain targets these faulty connections to preserve the vital balance between neuron count and functional integrity, a discovery that may provide insights into conditions such as autism and epilepsy.