Gene turn-off makes meek mice fearless

New Scientist ^ | 11/17/05 | Stu Hutson

[LibWhacker]

Deactivating a specific gene transforms meek mice into daredevils, researchers have found. The team believe the research might one day enable people suffering from fear – in the form of phobias or anxiety disorders, for example – to be clinically treated.

The research found that mice lacking an active gene for the protein stathmin are not only more courageous, but are also slower to learn fear responses to pain-associated stimuli, says geneticist Gleb Shumyatsky, at Rutgers University in New Jersey, US.

In the experiments, the stathmin-lacking mice wandered out into the centre of an open box, in defiance of the normal mouse instinct to hide along the box’s walls to avoid potential predators.

And to test learned fear, the mice were exposed to a loud sound followed by a brief electric shock from the floor below them. A day later, normal mice froze when the sound was played again. Stathmin-lacking mice barely reacted to the sound at all. Neural responses

In both mice and humans, the amygdala area of the brain serves as the control centre of basic fear impulses. Stathmin is found almost exclusively in this and related brain areas.

The protein is known to destabilise microtubule structures that help maintain the connections between neurons. This allows the neurons to make new connections, allowing the animal to learn and process fear experiences, Shumyatsky says. Without it, the neural responses are stilted.

The lack of the protein does not appear to affect other learning experiences, as both sets of mice were able to memorise the paths out of mazes equally well. “This is a good sign for an eventual clinical application that could let people deal with their fears in an entirely different way,” Shumyatsky says.

In 2002, Shumyatsky and colleagues published a study on a similar gene encoding for a protein called GRP. But this protein seems only to be associated with learned fear, and would therefore only have clinical implications for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Stathmin, on the other hand, seems to affect both learned and innate fear, which could lead to treatments for a much broader range of phobias and anxiety disorders, Shumyatsky says.

[LibWhacker]

Interesting... Treated, our warriors could be more warrior-like (if that's possible; they're already awesome), and liberals might find they actually have a pair in times of war.

[putupjob]

Can we use this on the spineless Republicans in Congress and the Senate?

[Bigh4u2]

Now we can turn 'passive aggressors' into real 'homicidal maniacs'.

[VRWCmember]

A six-pack of Coors ought to accomplish the same thing.

[Bigh4u2]

"But in war, completely removing fear may give soldiers a better advantage"

Or it could cause them to be so careless that they get themselves killed quicker.

[GSlob]

Hmm, no, it is not for the military: incoming fire has the right-of-way, and they do need to duck on occasion.

[Uncle Miltie]

Maybe Nancy could use a fix.

[theDentist]

Here I come to save the Daaaaaaaaay!
Protein stathmin is on the waaaaaay!

[NRA1995]

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

A soldier without fear is a hazard to himself and others. There is not a single soldier who does not know fear. Fear keeps him alive. The truly courageous ones harness their fear and do not let it control them. The idea in war "is to make the other poor damn SOB die for his country". You may want to sit back and really analyze what you are saying

[lizma]

"But in war, completely removing fear may give soldiers a better advantage"

There was a Star Trek episode like this.

[Bigh4u2]

Although that statement wasn't mine, I still agree with you about the Star Trek episode.

Just can't remember which one tho.

[TruthFactor]

BRAVO!!!!!!!

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

Noted.

[speed_addiction]

When I was in the Army I served with a guy named Duncan. We went through Basic, Infantry School, Jump School and Ranger School together. While Duncan did not mind sliding down a rope from a helicoter, he was deathly afraid jumping out of airplanes. It absolutely horrified him to the point of getting sick and throwing up. He would get pale, sweat, shake and puke, yet he never missed a manifest call or fail to throw his body out of an airplane with only a nylon canopy to stop his plummet to Earth.

Our First Sergeant had a deep admiration for Duncan. Called him the bravest man he ever saw, because for a man to be so terrified of something, yet conquer it time after time spoke volumes about his courage. Conquering your fears is courage. Having no fear at all is just reckless. It would give me pause to serve with completely fearless men.


What We Are About To Do Here Is What The Good Lord Would Call A Cleansing of the Wicked. I Call It A Good Old Fashioned Texas Ass Kicking.

[Khepera]

Man i could use this.

[Red Badger]

I'm fairly fearless when my jeans are off.......

[Khepera]

I see you fear this therapy.