Beijing: Chinese scientists have discovered two types of neurons that can arouse or suppress innate fear induced by odour, a development that could benefit therapy for fear-related disorders.
Innate fear, which includes things like fear of height and insects, is a basic animal instinct to avoid danger, but in excess it can lead to anxiety and even mental disease. Understanding its neuron mechanism can benefit therapy for fear-related disorders, said Duan Shumin with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
By exposing mice to the odour of their predator's feces and recording fear-related responses such as frozen movement, shaking and accelerated heart rate, Mr Duan's team studied how such fears were related to their somatostatin-positive neurons and parvalbumin-positive (PV) neurons.
When their PV neurons were inhibited, the mice remained bold and continued to act normally despite the threat of a predator, while activation of the somatostatin neurons produced the same effect, said Wang Hao from Zhejiang University, who also participated in the research.
"These neurons are like fear switches. Even without the odour, the neurons can generate a fear response in mice, such as fleeing, increased heart rate and incontinence," Mr Wang has been quoted by Xinhua as saying.
The study was published in the latest issue of Nature Neuroscience.
Innate fear, which includes things like fear of height and insects, is a basic animal instinct to avoid danger, but in excess it can lead to anxiety and even mental disease. Understanding its neuron mechanism can benefit therapy for fear-related disorders, said Duan Shumin with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
By exposing mice to the odour of their predator's feces and recording fear-related responses such as frozen movement, shaking and accelerated heart rate, Mr Duan's team studied how such fears were related to their somatostatin-positive neurons and parvalbumin-positive (PV) neurons.
"These neurons are like fear switches. Even without the odour, the neurons can generate a fear response in mice, such as fleeing, increased heart rate and incontinence," Mr Wang has been quoted by Xinhua as saying.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Greater Childbearing Ability Linked To Shorter Lifespan, Claims Study Pakistan Gets Powerful Missile Tracking System From China: Report 2017 Sees Warmest Ocean On Record: Chinese Academy Of Sciences UP BJP Chief Tells PM He Wants To Quit, Amit Shah In Action Amid Rejig Buzz Flying Squad Climbs Wall, Crashes Rajasthan School Exam, Finds Mass Cheating "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post Nagaland Board Releases Compartment Results For Class 10, 12 UP Inspector Among 3 Cops Suspended For Drinking Alcohol In Office 2024 Suzuki Avenis 125 Launched In India, Features New Colours & Graphics Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.