@misc{cogprints4941, volume = {116}, author = {Prof. Dr. Uner Tan}, editor = {Sir Sidney Weinstein}, title = {A NEW SYNDROME WITH QUADRUPEDAL GAIT, PRIMITIVE SPEECH, AND SEVERE MENTAL RETARDATION AS A LIVE MODEL FOR HUMAN EVOLUTION}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, journal = {International Journal of Neuroscience}, pages = {361--369}, year = {2006}, keywords = {erect posture, evolution, human, quadrupedal gait}, url = {http://cogprints.org/4941/}, abstract = {The author has discovered a new syndrome with quadrupedal gait, flexed head and body, primitive speech, severe mental retardation, and mild cerebellar signs with a disturbed conscious experience. This syndrome was exhibited by 5 of 19 children from a consanguineous family. The pedigree demonstrated a typical autosomal-recessive inheritance. The genetic nature of this syndrome suggests a backward stage in human evolution, which is most probably caused by a genetic mutation, rendering, in turn, the transition from quadrupedality to bipedality. This would then be consistent with theories of punctuated evolution. On the other hand, the extensor motor system causing a resistance of the body against the gravity may actually be subjected to evolutionary forces. This new syndrome may be used as a live model for human evolution.} }