Stathmin Gene for Fear
When John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash the summer of 1999, molecular geneticist Dr. Richard Ebstein speculated that a novelty-seeking and risk-taking gene ran in the Kennedy family which makes them “impulsive, adventurous, and tend[ing] to take chances with drugs, sex, speed, and other potentially dangerous activities.” One gene which appears to be involved in the brain’s fear circuitry is the stathmin gene.
Mice who were genetically engineered to have inactive stathmin genes lacked the ability to sense fear. In situations where normal mice would freeze in fear, such as a particular area of the cage where electric shocks were administered, mice lacking stathmin would continue about their business. In addition, stathmin-deficient mice did not develop neuronal connections in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala where the stathmin gene is most active.
The researchers hope to develop gene targets for some type of fear therapy. But it could be tricky deciding if a person needs a boost or a reduction in their level of fear. Society needs a mix of risk-taking and risk-averse people to keep everything in balance. Tampering with the fear mechanism could lead to some interesting (to say the least) changes in the way people relate to each other and to the events they encounter.
Science Daily, November 21, 2005
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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3 opinions for Stathmin Gene for Fear
» Graham at over my med body is hosting a very grateful Grand Rounds 2.10 this week. Here’s the new link to the piece I submitted on the stathmin gene for fear. Grand Rounds is the place to check each week for what’s on medical bloggers&
Dec 1, 2005 at 12:02 am
[…] Graham at over my med body is hosting a very grateful Grand Rounds 2.10 this week. Here’s the new link to the piece I submitted on the stathmin gene for fear. Grand Rounds is the place to check each week for what’s on medical bloggers’ minds.By Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD | Related entries in Genetics Blogging […]
» Grand Rounds 2.10 and Tangled Bank #42 Genetics and Health
Dec 1, 2005 at 12:06 am
[…] Graham at over my med body is hosting a very grateful Grand Rounds 2.10 this week. Here’s the new link to the piece I submitted on the stathmin gene for fear. Grand Rounds is the place to check each week for what’s on medical bloggers’ minds. […]
Want a job? Submit your DNA — Eye on DNA
May 19, 2007 at 10:52 am
[…] which is associated with violent behavior, the D4-7 gene variant associated with risk taking, the stathmin gene associated with fear, and the CHRM2 gene associated with performance IQ, so that candidates can be […]
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