Tiny DNA switches shaped language long before modern humans
Scientists identify HAQERs—tiny regulatory DNA regions—that disproportionately influence language ability. These ancient switches predate the human–Neanderthal split and are even found in Neanderthals, suggesting language biology existed earlier than previously thought. Using an evolutionary-stratified polygenic score, researchers describe HAQERs as “volume knobs” for gene regulation that build brain hardware for language while other genes drove broader cognitive gains. The study points to an evolutionary tradeoff: HAQERs supported fetal brain growth and language groundwork but leveled off, with future work aiming to separate genetic effects from environmental factors on language development.