Once students have an understanding of genetic and neural explanations for OCD, they are ready to complete the stepping stones activity. Either working alone or in pairs, students have to negotiate a path from the start stone to the end stone moving from stone to stone along the way. Any route is allowed as long […]
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A team led by Dr David Glahn ( Glahn et al., 2012 ) claims to have identified a gene RNF123 which may play a role in major depression (as distinct from bipolar disorder/depression). This gene has been shown to affect the hippocampus, which in turn is implicated in depression. Smaller hippocampal volumes are often found in people with recurrent […]
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A study from Decode Genetics in Reykjavik, published in Nature Genetics, suggests that four genes have now been identified – two linked to nicotine dependence and another two linked with nicotine metabolism. These findings, if valid, could lead to better understanding of addiction to smoking and how to treat this addiction.
Read moreLong-time depression researcher Eva Redei recently reported some of her latest findings . She has spent decades breeding rats who are severely depressed (mating depressed rats with depressed rats so you get ‘who are believed to be the most depressed rats in the world’ (!!)). This meant she could identify genes linked to depression. Next she […]
Read moreIf you smash your fist into someone’s body are you being aggressive and anti-social, or are you just doing what your genes programme you to do? The idea of genes affecting behaviour isn’t new and isn’t disputed, but the use of certain genes as a mitigating factor in criminal behaviour is a contentious issue. Genes […]
Read moreDNA analysis of thousands of people in three separate studies has shown that the disorder is linked to the interaction of a large number of genetic variants on chromosome 6, in an area called the Major Histocompatability Complex which has one role in the immune system and another in controlling the switching on or off of other genes. […]
Read more“IT IS probably the most famous greeting in the universe. But the simple Vulcan salute left makers of the new Star Trek film with a galactic-sized headache – because Mr Spock just couldn’t do it. After much head-scratching, experts on the $150 million blockbuster – which boasts stunning high-tech effects – hit upon a low-tech […]
Read moreSerotonin is involved in many behaviours, and new research suggests that a mutation in a gene that transports the brain chemical serotonin could influence our social behaviour. This is based on American research using rhesus macaque monkeys because they are the only other primates with a particular genetic trait. Usually we are homozygous for this emotion-regulating serotonin transporter gene, having either […]
Read moreSuppose you had an awful experience, something traumatic which shook you up and upset you deeply. What would the effects of that be? How would you cope? Would you be able to deal with your memories, or would you have flashbacks, panic attacks, feel unable to get on with your life? Researchers in Germany and […]
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