Regulatory regions make up about 2% of the genome, so the average neuron has about 30 mutations in regulatory regions by the age of 40. So if we can keep our de novo mutations from increasing that number very much it will probably be ok.
I agree that in the grand scheme of things it would probably not make much of a difference. Also your 2% estimation is generous, if you consider that in any differentiated human cell most of the genes are inactivated. Mutations on those genes would thus be harmless
I agree that in the grand scheme of things it would probably not make much of a difference. Also your 2% estimation is generous, if you consider that in any differentiated human cell most of the genes are inactivated. Mutations on those genes would thus be harmless