Alus harbor genetic variants that shape the human cortex

Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 12 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02492-w

The genetic changes associated with development of the human cortex are difficult to test functionally, especially in the context of gene regulation. In this issue, Matoba et al. show that variants that shape human cortical structure are hiding inside Alu transposable elements, co-opting their inbuilt machinery to rewire regulatory networks in the developing brain.