Ancient regulatory evolution shapes individual language abilities in present-day humans

Lucas G Casten; Tanner Koomar; Taylor R Thomas; Jin-Young Koh; Dabney Hofammann; Savantha Thenuwara; Allison Momany; Marlea O'Brien; Jeffrey C Murray; J Bruce Tomblin; Jacob J Michaelson

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aed5260

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Ancient regulatory evolution shapes individual language abilities in present-day humans

Journal article

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Ancient regulatory evolution shapes individual language abilities in present-day humans

Lucas G Casten, Tanner Koomar, Taylor R Thomas, Jin-Young Koh, Dabney Hofammann, Savantha Thenuwara, Allison Momany, Marlea O'Brien, Jeffrey C Murray, J Bruce Tomblin, …

Science advances, Vol.12(17), eaed5260

04/24/2026

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed5260

PMID: 42018620

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Abstract

Language is a defining feature of our species, yet the genomic changes enabling it remain poorly understood. Despite decades of work since 's discovery, we still lack a clear picture of which regions shaped language evolution and how variation contributes to present-day phenotypic differences. Using an evolutionary stratified polygenic score approach, we find that human ancestor quickly evolved regions (HAQERs) are associated with spoken language abilities (discovery = 350, total replication > 100,000). HAQERs evolved before the human-Neanderthal split, giving hominins increased binding of Forkhead and Homeobox transcription factors, and show evidence of balancing selection across the past 20,000 years. Language-associated variants in HAQERs appear more prevalent in Neanderthals, and HAQER-like sequences show convergent evolution across vocal-learning mammals. Our results reveal how ancient innovations continue shaping human language.

Animals

Biological Evolution

Evolution, Molecular

Hominidae - genetics

Humans

Language

Neanderthals - genetics

Details

Title: Subtitle: Ancient regulatory evolution shapes individual language abilities in present-day humans
Creators: Lucas G Casten - University of Iowa
Tanner Koomar - University of Iowa
Taylor R Thomas - Massachusetts General Hospital
Jin-Young Koh - University of Maryland School of Medicine
Dabney Hofammann - University of Iowa
Savantha Thenuwara - University of Iowa
Allison Momany - University of Iowa
Marlea O'Brien - University of Iowa
Jeffrey C Murray - University of Iowa
J Bruce Tomblin - University of Iowa
Jacob J Michaelson - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Science advances, Vol.12(17), eaed5260
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed5260
PMID: 42018620
ISSN: 2375-2548
eISSN: 2375-2548
Publisher: AAAS
Grant note: NIH: DC014489, T32GM008629 Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust: DC014489
This work was funded by NIH grant DC014489 to J.J.M, and some additional funding camefrom an NIH Predoctoral Training Grant to L.G.C.(T32GM008629). In addition, J.J.M. is supported by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.
Language: English
Date published: 04/24/2026
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Communication Sciences and Disorders; Psychiatry; Anatomy and Cell Biology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Epidemiology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Pediatric Dentistry; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center; Anesthesia; Dental Research; Neonatology
Record Identifier: 9985156524502771

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