Comments on: Improving Brain Function

By: Nathaniel

Nathaniel — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:10:55 +0000

Also, I would like to see a study that measures the relative levels of PSD 95 in various animals of varying intelligence to see if there is a correlation.

By: Nathaniel

Nathaniel — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:08:42 +0000

It’s also possible that even if a mutant trait arose from this protein that caused a substantial leap in cognitive ability, that it wouldn’t be something that would be selected for because greater intelligence does not increase reproduction. In fact, judging from all my intelligent nerdy friends in comparison to my meat head jock friends… I think being intelligent makes a person less likely to reproduce.But you’re right, it could have some side effects. It could be that it’s perfectly well balanced as it is. Or it could be that the random mutation needed to produce more/better proteins just hasn’t come up yet.I would like to see what happens in mice if they produce MASSIVE quantities of this protein. I would also like to see what happens when they produce the modified protein in normal and massive amounts. Secret of Nyhm here we come!

By: Janne

Janne — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:38:46 +0000

From time to time you see reports about some minor variation of an in-body substance – or just an increase in the level – that has wonderful cognitive or physiological effects. I always wonder though: if it’s so great, why aren’t our bodies producing it in the needed quantity already? The suspicion is of course that either it’s not really all that great; or it has side effects substantial enough to offset the benefits; or quite possibly both.