Ten questions for evolutionary studies of disease vulnerability

Nesse, Randolph M.

doi:10.1111/j.1752-4571.2010.00181.x

Cited by 66 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 115 publications

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“…[11]. Regardless, one can still be productive in this approach without lapsing into making broad generalizations about "adaptationism", i.e., falsely assuming that all traits are adaptive [55].…”

Section: Some Popular Misconceptions About Biological Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nothing in medicine makes sense, except in the light of evolution

Varki¹

2012

J Mol Med

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The practice of medicine is a fruitful marriage of classic diagnostic and healing arts with modern advancements in many relevant sciences. The scientific aspects of medicine are rooted in understanding the biology of our species and those of other organisms that interact with us in health and disease. Thus, it is reasonable to paraphrase Dobzhansky, stating that, "nothing in the biological aspects of medicine makes sense except in the light of evolution." However, the art and science of medicine are also rooted in the unusual cognitive abilities of humans and the cultural evolutionary processes arising. This explains the rather bold and inclusive title of this essay. The near complete absence of evolution in medical school curricula is a historical anomaly that needs correction. Otherwise, we will continue to train generations of physicians who lack understanding of some fundamental principles that should guide both medical practice and research. I here recount my attempts to correct this deficiency at my own medical school and the lessons learned. I also attempt to summarize what I teach in the limited amount of time allowed for the purpose. Particular attention is given to the value of comparing human physiology and disease with those of other closely related species. There is a long way to go before the teaching of evolution can be placed in its rightful context within the medical curriculum. However, the trend is in the right direction. Let us aim for a day when an essay like this will no longer be relevant.

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Section: Some Popular Misconceptions About Biological Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nothing in medicine makes sense, except in the light of evolution

Varki¹

2012

J Mol Med

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“…Perhaps surprisingly, one fundamental question where evolutionary principles have not been applied is investigating why humans suffer from diseases [3]. There are likely several reasons for this, not least that evolution is rarely included in medical curricula [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolution of Myelin: Theories and Application to Human Disease

Knowles¹

2017

J Evol Med

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Myelin, once thought of as a simple insulating sheath, is now known to be a complex, dynamic structure. It has multiple functions in addition to increasing conduction velocity, including reducing the energetic cost of action potentials, saving space, and metabolic functions. Myelin is also notable for likely having arisen independently at least three times over the course of evolutionary history. This article reviews the available evidence about the evolution of myelin and proposes a hypothesis of how it arose in vertebrates. It then discusses the evolutionary trade-offs associated with myelination and suggests a possible animal model for further study of this phenomenon. Finally, it briefly covers the neural regulation of myelination before discussing possible roles of myelin in human social cognition and evolution, and the relevance of this to human disease.

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“…Fourth, a new trend to treat the formation of many common human diseases as a process of somatic cell evolution has emerged [Heng 2007[Heng , 2009Heng et al, 2009;Nesse, 2011]. This trend requires experimental approaches with the capability to observe the dynamics of both individual cells and cell populations.…”

Section: Back To the Futurementioning

confidence: 99%