Are we born political?

 Dr Leor Zmigrod has made a discovery, the politics a person associated with is correlated to biological factors. She has found that the brain structures of a person differ based on the types of politics a person follows and if their thinking is "flexible" or "rigid". For example, people with conservative beliefs have a larger amygdala, when compared to people with liberal ideologies. The amygdala being the part of the brain that processes fear and disgust. 

On a genetic level, it was found that people who are more cognitively flexible, have genetic markers that indicate greater amounts of dopamine in their prefrontal cortex, and less in the striatal regions of the brain. Dopamine has been known to be a genetic factor in personality, like extraversion traits. 

This can be a scary concept, as biological determinations for politics take away from hope that people can adapt their beliefs, as well as fear of interfering with a person's genetics/brain composition in order to change beliefs. These findings also emphasize how some individuals are more susceptible to political influences like propaganda. 

Dr Zmigrod mentions that she plans to do a longitudinal study, to determine if the brain's structure influences politics, or if politics influences the makeup of the brain later in life. 

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More on Dopamine and Personality

Neural activity and human longevity are linked together?

Recently, researchers found out that the nervous system’s activity could influence the lifespan of human beings when study with protein REST. Studies show that overactivity linked with longer life, while neural excitation results in a shorter lifespan. Research led by scientists in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School based it finding on mice, worms, and human brains from. Protein REST is the key to signaling. This protein protects the aging brain from dementia and other specific stresses that affect the brain. When blocking REST, it led to higher neural activity and caused earlier deaths. When REST increases, it did the opposite.















This seems like great information to know about because who knows, neural activity and human longevity are linked together? The article gave an example of that stress is an example of overactivity. Now that I thought about it, stress is happening more and more nowadays, and does that mean the life expectancy will lower and lower? I mean, like, I am stressing out right now too about my schoolwork, and will that mean my life expectancy will be lower due to overactivity of thinking??

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191016131224.htm

https://www.ibtimes.com/recent-study-discovers-link-between-human-longevity-neural-activity-2855030

Biological angle to hypnosis. Is it really possible or is this all on your head?

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/30/science/hypnosis-brain-changes.html?_r=0

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hypnosis-memory-brain/

Hypnosis has been around for centuries and it has been accessible to reducing stress, anxiety and pain. This is not brainwashing or magic, hypnosis is a trance-like state of heightened concentration and it’s more common than you might think. According to a recent study conducted by Dr. David Spiegel, of Stanford University School of Medicine, discloses interesting facts about how the brain changes during hypnosis. For the hypnosis study, Spiegel and his colleagues chose 57 people to participate and over 50% of the participants were hypnotized, the remaining subjects did not appear to be successfully hypnotized. The study reveals that for those who were clearly hypnotized, they showed distinct changes in the brain that were not present prior to being hypnotized. Those who did not appear to be hypnotized did not show the distinct brain changes. Some of the changes that occur during hypnosis are the insula and the dorsal anterior cingulate. According to the study, the connection between the two increased; the insula is the part of the brain that connects the mind and the body and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex helps a person carry out tasks. The other portion of the brain that changes during hypnosis is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This cortex becomes disconnected from the brain’s default mode, which is believed to be related to a disconnection between a person’s actions and the awareness of those actions.

I personally think hypnosis is achievable only to a certain point. It's just another state of mind however it is up to the individual how susceptible they allow themselves to become. I tried being hypnotized once and it didn't work, I'd be willing to try again to see if it will have any effect on me. 

Discovery of Autism Gene Mutation that Slows Brain Activity

When the term, "autism" was first used by Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, it was referred to one group of symptoms of schizophrenia in 1911. Autism became more prevalent during the 1940's when researchers used the term to describe children with emotional or social problems. Over time during the 1960-1980's, research was funded for treating autism through medications such as LSD, electric shock, and behavioral change techniques. Upon reaching the early 2000's, the prevalence of autism in the United States has risen to almost 120%. 

According to medical experts, autism is characterized by "repetitive behaviors and problems with communication and social skills." Typically, autism is 4.5 times more common among boys than girls. This usually occurs around the age of 3 and can last an entire lifetime. Signs can be seen very early on or even later on in life. Unfortunately, there are no cures for autism or treatments that can reduce the severity of the symptoms.

However, researchers from McMaster University have identified the gene mutation that impedes brain activity. Lead investigator, Karun Singh of the Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, and his team of researchers have identified the mutations in the gene called DIXDC1. By doing a genetic analysis of individuals of individuals with autism, scientists have identified abnormalities in the DIXDC1 gene that stop the DIXDC1 protein from instructing brain cells to form synapses. Synapses are essential structures within the nervous system that enable signaling between nerve cells. In some individuals with autism, mutations were found on this specific gene in which caused the gene to be "switched off." This causes the synapses to remain immature, thus reducing brain activity.

Based on these results, Singh's team of researchers who specialize in drug recovery, can begin to research for drugs that will turn on the DIXDC1 gene on and correct synaptic connections.  While this gene mutation is found only in small numbers of individuals, researchers can begin to pinpoint other genes that have similar symptoms and administer drugs that can correct the synaptic connection. This discovery is a turning point in autism treatment because it helps to pave the way for targeting the core symptoms of autism. The key to this study is that treatments can be researched that allow brain cell synapse growth and activity to restored, thus improving the overall condition of autism patients. By taking the concepts from this study, the genetic analysis can be applied to other forms of mutations or diseases in which is a important breakthrough in medicine. Hopefully in due time, autism patients can get the treatment they need that will help to reduce the social problems they encounter.

Here's Why People Get Schizophrenia, Scientists Say

In a recent study conducted, scientist focused on understanding the origin of schizophrenia and trying to understand whether it was gene or illness related. Schizophrenia is a long-term mental disorder that causes individuals to hear voices or see things that aren’t there, or develop irrational delusions; they may display disorganized thinking, agitated body movements or emotional withdrawal. Everyone undergoes a brain process of what is called “synaptic pruning”. Synaptic pruning refers to the process of neurological regulation. During this process there is a change in the neural structure by eliminating the number of neurons or connections to increase the efficiency of function. A gene involved in synaptic pruning may be the cause of increasing a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia. The gene involved is the C4 gene. The C4 gene normally acts as a regulatory gene of the immune system. Analysis of 65,00 people who had a particular form of the C4 gene demonstrated a higher expression of that gene and a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. Synaptic pruning is active during adolescence, which is usually when Schizophrenia symptoms begin to occur. If the C4 gene undergoes mutation during synaptic pruning it causes thing to go wrong. What begins to occur is the removal of too many synapses. This results in brain wiring, which does not allow the brain to undergo basic functions that it used to be able to perform.

In my opinion, this article demonstrates decent background information on how the C4 gene is connected in the development of schizophrenia and its effect on people at risk of having it. It looks at schizophrenia from the perspective of brain process and reflects back on the persons adolescent years which is reasonable. Overall I think this article presented new information on a topic that is always in need of answers and studying. 

Original Article

Mysteries of the human brain revealed as scientists release detailed 3D image of its genes and pathways

Due to recent research, scientist have now generated the first detailed pictures of the intricate events in the womb that result in the formation of the human brain. this study could be a breakthrough in understanding cognitive disorders developed before birth, such as autism to schizophrenia. This research has been developed by researchers at Allen Institution of Brain Study in Seattle, which was funded by Microsoft billionaire, Paul Allen. These researchers analysed the brains of four human people between 15 and 21 weeks. During these weeks, they build-ed up the first atlas of the developing brain based on the differences in gene activity. Senior scientists believe that these revolutionary new techniques for studying the brain could transform our knowledge of how the brain works, which could lead to radical new forms of prevention or treatment for the many psychological and developmental disorders that have so far defied medicine. This work is part of  a much wider body of research, which aims at a fundamental understanding of the brain. This research is already beginning to show that these  are enriched in the human frontal coretx, which is the part of the brain that is said to be responsible for conscious control over other parts of the brain. with this study/research in continue still, this could lead to unprecedented clues to he molecular underpinnings of what makes the human neocortex. I believe that this research is a great step into understanding where and what causes cognitive disorders developed before birth. Being able to blueprint the brain and generated the first detailed pictures of the intricate events in the womb is a huge step in brain studies. This could a giant step into possibly curing cognitive disorders, with due time. 

Original article: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mysteries-of-the-human-brain-revealed-as-scientists-release-detailed-3d-image-of-its-genes-and-pathways-9233660.html

Secondary article: http://www.livescience.com/23313-human-brain-atlas-disease.html

New Genes Linked to Brain Size, Intelligence

Project ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) has been created for the largest brain study. There are 200 scientists from myriad of institutions involved in this project. Project ENIGMA was created to search for two things; one was to find genes that can increase your chances of having a single disease that your children can inherit and also looked for genes that cause tissue atrophy and reduce brain size. Apparently reduced brain size results in hereditary disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In the project, researchers got different brain scans of different people from around the world basically. They took all the scans and found patterns in genetic variation and the scans also showed how the changes in the genes can alter the brain. Also the researchers measured brain sizes and its memory centers in many MRI scans. The researchers looked for genetic variations related to brain size and they discovered a gene, HMGA, that show differences in people’s intelligence related to their brain size.  This new discovery can help them figure out the genes that promote the disorders and might even help find treatments.

After reading this article I actually was amazed as to how DNA and genes is such an intense subject. I really liked this article especially when they found out that brain size and intelligence relate to each other.

Brain gene activity changes through life

A recent article in Science News reports on research conducted by Nenad Šestan of Yale University School of Medicine.  The aim of Šestan’s research was to find out how brain activity changes from before birth to old age.  To do this, Šestan measured levels of mRNA in samples of brain that differed in age; DNA was not the focus of this study because virtually every cell’s genetic material is the same.  In his research, 57 brains were sampled and examined for levels of mRNA.  Concurrently, another study headed by Joel Kleinman of the National Institute of Mental Health examined the brains of 269 samples.  In both studies, it was found that the prenatal brain had high levels of mRNA: during the prenatal phase of one’s life cycle, many genes are synthesizing the production of mRNA.  Curiously, however, the brain abruptly slows in the production of mRNA; it picks back up again late in one’s life.  The increase in brain activity that occurs late into one’s life appears to be related to genes involved in linking up nerve cells.  In addition to these findings, researchers believe that differences in gene behavior may influence the development of certain disorders in males.  For example, some of the genes busier in a male’s early development appear to be related to disorders like schizophrenia and autism, diseases known to be more prevalent in men.  The researchers are still a long way from knowing exactly which cells are responsible for gene behavior differences, but their continued studies are important for understanding the complexities that lead to certain disorders.  Both researchers plan on conducting more studies and some will be looking to include brains of people with schizophrenia and autism.

Genetics influence alcohol dependence, brain activity

The brain has many functions for the body and it can also influence the way that it can affect the brain. Margit Burmeister, research professor at University of Michigan’s Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute has done research in a genetic link between genetic variations associated with alcoholism, impulsive behavior and a region of the brain involved in craving and anxiety. The results suggest that a gene called "GABRA2" has variations that can aid in risk of alcoholism by influencing impulsive behaviors, at least in part through a portion of the cerebral cortex known as the insula said Margit Burmeister. In this article, the research was done through a study with 449 people, who came from 173 families - 129 of whom had at least one member diagnosed with alcohol dependence or abuse. It shows that the people with the variation of this gene most likely had alcohol dependence symptoms and higher measures of impulsiveness in response to distress, the study found. Stronger associations were found in women than in men. Also, there were other test done to the individuals like fMRI( functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to observe blood flow to the brain. What they discovered from the individuals is that the people with one form of the GABRA2 gene associated with alcoholism showed significantly higher activation in the insula when anticipating rewards and losses than those with other combinations. This higher activation was also related to a greater level of impulsiveness in response to distress.

The association of brain activity and genetic variation should be able to influence a persons behavior. Since the genetic variation affects the brain it seems reasonable that it would have an influence on alcohol dependence and brain activity. However, this study need to do more research with other questions asked to the individuals that they study to get a more better picture to further understand this gene.