Science

Scientists may have finally explained why our brains and bodies are cross-wired

Scientists propose that the brain’s mysterious cross-wiring, which connects each hemisphere to the opposite side of the body, may have originated more than 500 million years ago in the visual systems of ancient fish.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•1 min read•Updated November 4, 2026, 1:24 PM UTC

Rather than evolving for a specific advantage, this unusual arrangement may simply be a legacy of evolution building new brain circuits on an ancient foundation.

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