Evolutionary differences in the brain

[Wishful]

I noticed a blog on Healthrising about a link between ME and LCovid in the brainstem. What caught my attention was the mention that it's the most primitive (earliest-evolved) part of the brain. Does that mean differences in the cells in different parts of the brain? Could the glial cells in the most primitive parts respond differently than those parts that evolved later? The newer cells might have evolved a protection from ME, but the older ones didn't "get the upgrade".

Hmmm, I just noticed that the estimated prevalence of ME is under the percentage needed for evolutionary selection (.3%). Furthermore, the number of people who would be unable to reproduce effectively due to ME would be even lower, so there wouldn't be pressure to develop immunity to ME. Also, ME might be due to more recently evolved changes in mammalian bodies, and there hasn't been time or pressure to weed out the susceptible individuals.

 

[cheeseater]

Thyroid disease (hypothyroidism) is problematic is modern times. Hypothyroidism has evolved as an evolutionary selection process, because people with severe hypothyroidism are often the only ones to survive through a prolonged famine. "Evolution" would have to say that hypothyroidism is survival of the fittest.

How many other diseases can be said to ensure survival?

 

[Wishful]

While it's not a 'disease', sickness behaviour is a survival mechanism that isn't pleasant to experience.

Keep in mind that evolution isn't for the benefit of the organism; it's just the gene combinations that end up continuing. Evolution isn't a force affecting future outcomes, it's a statistical record of past events.