biotech
Stathmin: Gene Controlling Learned and Innate Fear
Filed in archive Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics by ruth on November 20, 2005
BlogPicture

Scientists from Rutgers University in New Jersey believe they have identified a gene coding for a protein called stathmin or oncoprotein 18 which controls a section of the brain linked to fear responses. These findings could lead to new treatments for mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety.

Using a combination of mouse genetics, cellular electrophysiology and behavior, the researchers designed knock-out mice -- mice deficient in the stathmin gene -- to correlate changes in the expression of stathmin to changes in short-term or long-term strength of nerve impulses and fear responses.
"This study provides genetic evidence that amygdala-enriched Stathmin is required for the expression of innate fear and the formation of memory for learned fear," the authors concluded. "Stathmin knockout mice can be used as a model of anxiety states of mental disorders with innate and learned fear components (and) these animal models could be used to develop new anti-anxiety agents," they added.


The findings are published in the Nov 17 issue of the journal Cell.

Sources: Yahoo News via Reuters, Rutgers Media Release This entry is based on a tip by Creative Reporter, Theresa Dixon.

Permalink: Stathmin: Gene Controlling Learned and Innate Fear
Tags: fear  genetics  biotech  stathmin  gene  stathmin+gene  innate+fear  controlling+learned 
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/11295
img Addthis img Ask img Blinklist img del.icio.us img Digg img Fark img Facebook img Google img Lycos img Ma.gnolia Add this page to Mister Wong Mr Wong img Netscape img Netvousz img Newsvine img Reddit img StumbleUpon img Slashdot img Tailrank img Technorati img Wink img Yahoo

Vote for Stathmin: Gene Controlling Learned and Innate Fear:

  • Currently 10.00/10
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Rating: 10.00 out of 1 vote(s) cast.
Subscribe
Share It
Popular posts from our other blogs:
RSSrss
See all blog subscribe options
Google google
What is RSS?
Yahoo! yahoo
Addthis Subscribe using any feed reader!
Bloglines Bloglines
Newsletter

TwitterFollow us on Twitter!