2023-10-21 19:19:43
Chinese Scientists Discover Transmissible Fear in Mice Can Also Occur in Humans
Chinese scientists from Guangzhou University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the transferability of fear, stating that it can occur not only in rodents such as mice but also in humans. The researchers conducted an experiment where young mice were separated from their mothers in front of their littermates to study the phenomenon of “transmissible fear.”
The study aimed to investigate the impact of witnessing traumatic events on the development of neuropsychiatric diseases later in life. While it is known that children who experience traumatic events are more likely to develop anxiety, little has been understood about the effects of witnessing such experiences.
To conduct the experiment, the researchers separated infant mice from their mothers, a process known as maternal separation. This event is considered one of the most significant stressors in early life and is commonly used to study stress in rodents. Once the mice reached adolescence, the scientists examined both the mice separated from their mothers and their littermates who witnessed the separation.
The scientists conducted an open field test and a plus-maze test to measure anxiety in the mice. The results revealed that both the separated mice and the littermates spent less time in open spaces, demonstrating higher levels of anxiety compared to the control group. Furthermore, the researchers examined specific brain connections in the anterior cingulate cortex, a brain region associated with physical and social pain. It was found that both the separated mice and the littermates showed difficulties in regulating brain cell activity in that area, suggesting these parts of the brain are involved in transferable fear.
Although the research has so far only been conducted in mice, the scientists believe the process works similarly in humans. Yang, one of the researchers, explained that the phenomenon of taking over emotions is observed in many social mammals, such as rodents. In rodents, smell plays a vital role in transferring fear, meaning that one does not necessarily need to witness the event directly. Yang acknowledged that in humans, other factors might be involved in the transfer of fear, but the effects of empathy can still be observed.
The scientists hope that their research will contribute to the development of new treatment methods for anxiety. They have identified specific brain cells in the anterior cingulate cortex that are involved in the transmission of fear and believe that targeting these areas may hold potential for treating transmissible anxiety in the future.
While further research is still needed to fully understand the extent and duration of this transferable fear in humans, this study opens new avenues for addressing anxiety disorders and providing support for individuals who have witnessed traumatic experiences.]
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