Newly Discovered Skull Microchannels Offer Potential Insights into Brain Health and Evolution
Recent research has revealed the existence of a previously unknown network of microscopic channels within the skull bones, sparking excitement across multiple scientific disciplines. These “microforamina,” or microchannels, are believed too be intricately connected to the cranial vascular system and may play a crucial role in several key brain functions, perhaps offering new avenues for understanding and treating neurological diseases.
Researchers hypothesize these vascular microconducts facilitate the passage of immune cells from the skull to the brain, contributing to the body’s response to infections and inflammation. Beyond immune function, the microchannels are also theorized to aid in thermal regulation, helping to dissipate heat and maintain a stable brain temperature vital for optimal operation. Perhaps most considerably, thay are suspected to be involved in the glymphatic system – the brain’s waste removal process – which, when disrupted, has been linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and depression, as noted by researcher Emiliano Bruner. He states, “The inflammatory response of the brain is related to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, stroke or depression.”
The significance of this finding extends beyond modern medicine.Bruner’s team has identified similar structures in fossils of Homo antecessor,a human species that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula over 800,000 years ago,and in Neanderthals,our closest evolutionary relatives.This suggests these microchannels have been a consistent anatomical feature for a substantial period of human history. Bruner has coined the term “palanatologia” to describe the study of anatomy and vascular pathology in extinct species, opening a new field of investigation. He first noticed these structures in a fossil from the Great Dolina de Atapuerca site in 2017, after 25 years of studying the craniovascular system.
Future research will focus on utilizing advanced imaging technologies like microtomography and high-resolution magnetic resonance to further elucidate the function of these microforamina in both health and disease. Researchers aim to investigate potential variations within our own species and trace the evolutionary growth of these structures through the fossil record. Bruner emphasizes the need to analyze how the presence of these channels correlates with factors such as sex, age, population origin, and even the potential future of the human species.
“The work is now to delve into the possible differences that exist within our species,” Bruner explains, “but also in analyzing how these structures have evolved by reviewing the fossil registry of the human race.” The ultimate goal is to gain a deeper understanding of how the brain functions and has evolved, with the potential for “huge” medical implications.
