Scientists create Mighty Mouse

Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered that deactivating a specific gene transforms meek mice into daredevils. Mice that lack an active gene for the protein ‘stathmin’ are not only more courageous, but are also slower to learn fear responses to pain-associated stimuli.

In some of the experiments, the stathmin-lacking mice wandered out into the centre of an open box, in defiance of the normal mouse instinct to hide along the box’s walls to avoid potential predators.

In both mice and humans, the amygdala area of the brain serves as the control centre of basic fear impulses. Stathmin is found almost exclusively in this and related brain areas.

This research could one day help people suffering from fear – in the form of phobias or anxiety disorders.