Why Are Some People More Sensitive than Others? Genes May Tell

    

    

    Due to a study on over 2,800 twins scientists have concluded that your genes can actually determine if you are more sensitive towards a subject than someone else would be. Throughout the study they compared identical and fraternal twins and found that there was a 47% difference in sensitivity due to genetics compared to other factors such as environments. Researches also found, “ shared genetic links between sensitivity, neuroticism and extraversion, but not any other traits”. These two traits act in different situations that one puts their body into while some people see more of one trait than the other. They both get linked back to genetics.



Article: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-06-10/why-are-some-people-more-sensitive-than-others-genes-may-tell



Related Article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroticism

Character Traits, Genetically or Environmentally Determined?

A recent  study of more than 800 sets of twins indicated genetics as  more dominant in shaping key personality traits, than environment. This topic has been debated on for decades, and while there is no doubt that both environment and genetics shapes our personalities, the degree to which they play a role was uncertain. The findings from the study indicated that " Identical twins (whose DNA is presumed to be exactly the same) were twice as likely to share traits compared to non-identical twins." The reasoning of the researchers is that  stronger  genetic link increases the likelihood that the trait is carried through out family. The specific character traits identified to be more influenced by genes are: self-control and decision making. Researcher Chi-Hua Chen from the University of California, San Diego and his team analyzed genetic data from about 140 000 samples and identified "Five personality traits: extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience"to be influenced by genes. 

I have always investigated siblings that I know, who are from the same parents and raised in the same environmental condition. It has always been very fascinating how similar they are, and at the same time how different they could be. The findings from this studies links genes to certain  personality traits .This knowledge could be used to investigate the root of certain physiological diseases, as well as it opens new questions for further studies such as examining people with the same personality traits controlled by genes, but in very different environmental settings.

Neuroticism Genetics Uncovered

Commonly studied mental disorders all have to deal with some sort of chemical unbalance in the brain, whether it is too much of one neurotransmitter or not enough of another. These abnormalities contribute to the way people with mental disorders and other mental issues act. One of the results of these abnormalities is a trait called, neuroticism, which makes people respond to something bad, like a threat or a death, with negative emotions. It is normal to want to feel sad when something bad happens, but those with neuroticism suffer more severe and more frequent bouts of anxiety, depression, guilt, anger and envy then those without the trait when faced with a negative event.

For as long as genetics have been studied, scientists could only find one possible locus on chromosome 3 where neuroticism could form, but new studies conducted by the University of Glasgow's Institute of Health and Wellbeing show that there there are at lest 9 different loci that have to deal with neuroticism. As Professor Daniel Smith, one of the scientists at the institute, says "this is an exciting discovery because we have identified, for the first time, genetic risk factors for a personality trait which is of fundamental importance to physiological well-being."

Even though these genes have been found, there is still the question of how they make people behave the way they do when they have neuroticism. One that was found was a gene called CHRH1 that contributes to the body's stress management and also makes laboratory mice anxious, just like it would if it were in the human body. A couple of other genes deal with the neurotransmitter glutamate, a factor in depression and schizophrenia, and specific sections of glutamate deal with suicide and restless leg syndrome.

Despite the progress that has been made, there is much more to discover and analyze. Once more data comes out and more possible loci are found, scientists will be able to put more pieces of the puzzle together. This sounds like a worthy cause to look into because finding out if the trait is genetic will be a step in handling it more effectively or possibly eliminating it completely. Less stress and worry for the affected parties will mean a more peaceful society and a better well-being for everyone.