Improved Understanding Of Human Anxiety From Mice Missing ‘Fear’ Gene
First, he discovered a gene that controls innate fear in animals. Now Rutgers geneticist Gleb Shumyatsky has shown that the same gene promotes “helicopter mom” behavior in mice. The gene, known as stathmin or oncoprotein 18, motivates female animals to protect newborn pups and interact cautiously with unknown peers. This “fear gene” is highly concentrated in the amygdala, a key region of the brain that deals with fear and anxiety.
