Some more interesting research from the neurological front on the genetic factors underlying complex motor action.
The single nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP, is just one of millions of single-letter variations between humans’ genetic codes. This one occurs in a gene that produces a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which helps regulate the formation of new synapses, and the maintenance of old ones. BDNF plays a very important role in what’s called neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to rewire itself on the fly.
This is a strong advance in understanding the advantages and limitations of neuroplasticity, a feature that is no longer universally dominant in our neural structures. Although the headline points out that those lacking BDNF are more likely to suffer problems conducting complex motor skills, this is one study, not an overall picture.
Alongside this is a new condition for those who do not appear to have the sharpest tools in the box: dysrationalia, (Scientific American article is subscription only) a condition where individuals have high IQs but do not appear to be capable of rational thought. Speculative causes are cognitive miserliness (laziness) or the inability to structure a rational thought process (uneducated).
One cause of dysrationalia is that people tend to be cognitive misers, meaning that they take the easy way out when trying to solve problems, often leading to solutions that are illogical and wrong.
Another
cause of dysrationalia is the mindware gap, which occurs when people
lack the specific knowledge, rules and strategies needed to think
rationally.
Perhaps there is a need to emphasize these situations in order to redress the balance of IQ tests. However, the medicalisation of these conditions will lead to lawsuits and victimhood. They always do.
Two studies that display the practicality of neural research in different ways, though as with anything concerning the mind, we sometimes recast earlier ideas in new moulds. that is not always necessary.