Scientists Test Happy Gene
Posted on: Wednesday, 25 February 2009, 11:34 CST
Scientists in Britain reported on Wednesday, whether you are pessimistic or optimistic may depend on a single, hormone-delivery gene.
In other words, some people are likely hard-wired for happiness, while others are genetically geared towards sadness, according to a study published in Britain's Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
The gene known as 5-HTTLPR plays a key role in determining how the neurotransmitter serotonin functions within the brain.
Serotonin transmits chemical messages between nerve cells, and has been closely linked to mood. Several anti-depressant drugs regulate serotonin levels.
Three variants of the gene have also been identified by scientists. Two "short" alleles, or variants, were linked to a higher risk of depression and suicide attempts.
They were also thought to trigger an exaggerated neurochemical response to stressful situations.
Researchers from the University of Essex in Britain decided to find out if people with different variants were more or less drawn to or repelled by both distressing and pleasing situations.
Participants were individually shown a series of slides, each containing a pair of images drawn from a psychological tool called the International Affective Picture Set.
The images were divided into three different categories: negative ones designed to inspire fear or stress, erotic or pleasant ones, and neutral ones. The two pictures on each slide were drawn from different groups.
The researchers found that the 16 participants who had the long variant of the 5-HTTLPR gene "showed a marked avoidance of negative material alongside a vigilance for positive material."
In other words, they paid close attention to the pleasant pictures, and tried screening out the frightening ones.
The short allele groups showed the opposite preferences.
"The results indicated that a genetically-driven tendency to look on the bright side of life is a core cognitive mechanism underlying resilience to general life stress," the study concludes.
They said, that the absence of this "protective bias" was linked to a greater vulnerability to mood disorders and anxiety, as indicated in earlier studies.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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