Scientists have uncovered why some mice no longer in danger are still fearful, a finding that may help people suffering from PTSD.
Since humans and animals register fear in the brain similarly, the discovery is an important step to understanding how genes work in the brain to control learning and memory as well as reactions to fearful and traumatic experiences.
“Our work with mice demonstrates how genes play a role in developing and extinguishing pathological fear like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” says Gleb Shumyatsky, associate professor of genetics at Rutgers.
“It is clear that previous life experiences are not the only cause of PTSD—genetic predispositions may make some people more sensitive and others more resilient to PTSD.”
