Scientists compared the genomes of modern humans with those of Neanderthals and Denisovans, confirming that the I197V variant is absent in these close relatives, suggesting its unique role in human evolution.

A groundbreaking study has identified a specific gene variant, NOVA1, as a significant factor in the origins of spoken language, highlighting the genetic contributions to speech development in early humans.

While Neanderthals and Denisovans had anatomical features that allowed for speech, they lacked the I197V variant found exclusively in modern humans.

Darnell hopes that this research will lead to early detection of individuals who may benefit from speech and language interventions.

Published in Nature Communications on February 18, 2025, the study reveals that the I197V variant does not affect RNA connections related to neuronal development or motor control.

The research indicates that the I197V variant of NOVA1, which is found in nearly all modern human genomes analyzed, likely originated from an ancestral population in Africa and provided advantages in vocal communication.

Using CRISPR gene editing, researchers modified the NOVA1 protein in mice to the human variant, resulting in altered vocalizations, particularly in pitch and call patterns.

The study found that the human NOVA1 variant fine-tunes RNA messages in brain regions associated with sound production, influencing vocalization patterns.

Future research will focus on NOVA1's specific role in language and developmental disorders, as well as its interactions with brain regions involved in sound production.

The ability to communicate through speech is believed to have provided early humans with a crucial advantage over other hominins, facilitating information sharing and coordination.

Dr. Robert Darnell, a co-author of the study, has been researching NOVA1 since the early 1990s and aims to enhance understanding of human origins and develop treatments for speech-related disorders.

Researchers caution against labeling NOVA1 as the sole 'human language gene,' emphasizing that other genes, such as FOXP2, also play significant roles in language development.