Scientists Discover the Gene of Fear – A Gene that Controls Protein Production in the Brain Region Associated with Fear Response.
The findings could lead to new treatments for neurological disorders such as trauma and excessive anxiety.
The gene, known as stathmin or oncoprotein 18, is predominantly located in the amygdala, the brain area linked to fear and anxiety.
“This is a significant step towards a better understanding of neurological disorders caused by trauma, phobias, personality disorders, and other similar conditions,” said Professor Gleb Shumyatsky from Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA. “It will provide crucial insights into how instinctual fears and learned fears develop, which could lead to new treatment methods.”
Learned fears typically develop after encountering an incident, such as a person being stung by a bee and subsequently fearing insects. These memories are formed in the amygdala.
Experimental results showed that mice genetically modified not to produce stathmin exhibited brain disorders and had a reduced ability to recall fear-induced responses. Additionally, they displayed unusual behaviors. Mice usually instinctively avoid open spaces, but those lacking stathmin did not show fear and tended to approach open areas more than normal mice.
M.T. (according to ABC Online)
