Is you brain controlling your face shape and behavior?

Turns out our brains might have even more control over us than we think. Based on a study led by LU Leuven and Stanford, our brain might be controlling more than our movements but our personalities and behaviors. They identified over 76 overlapping genetic locations that shape both our faces and brain, which can easily debunk several persistent pseudoscientific claims related to our face and what it says about us. Although there were already suspicions of this link, this thought was purely based on model organism researches and clinical knowledge of extremely rare conditions. Joint senior for this study, Professor Peter Claes said it all began when they, “set out to map the genetic link between individuals’ face and brain shape much more broadly, and for commonly occurring genetic variation in the larger, non-clinical population. In these previous studies, we analyzed 3D images of faces and linked several data points on these faces to genetic information to find correlations.”

For this newfound discovery, they relied on previous studies that provided them with 20,000 MRI brain scans and genetic information. The focus was placed "on variations in the folded external surface of the brain," this allowed for the identification of 472 genomic locations that have shaped our brains; meanwhile, 76 of these genomic locations are linked to the face shape.

Fortunately, by them doing further research on this genetic link, they discovered there was no genetic link with behavior or neuropsychiatric disorders. "Our results confirm that there is no genetic evidence for a link between someone’s face and that individual’s behavior. Therefore, we explicitly dissociate ourselves from pseudoscientific claims to the contrary. For instance, some people claim that they can detect aggressive tendencies in faces by means of artificial intelligence. Not only are such projects completely unethical, but they also lack a scientific foundation," Professor Claes clarifies. This is a very interesting study. Our brain is already so powerful, to think that it'll be strong enough to have such a genetic hold on us would honestly be very surprising.

Links:

https://scitechdaily.com/genetic-link-discovered-between-face-and-brain-shape/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00827-w

Genetic Heart Disease Risk

It is commonly thought that heart disease is linked to genetics, but a new study of 55,000 participants shows that by not smoking, exercising moderately, and by eating a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, and grains, people can decrease their risk of heart disease substantially even if they are genetically exposed. Dr. Sekar Kathiresan, the director of the Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, says that according to the research he and his colleagues have done, the problem can be controlled even if you do not have the best genes. In the study they used large sets of data in order to set apart the effects of genes and lifestyle in hart disease. They found that genes can double the risk of heart disease, but a good life style cuts it in half, but by the same token an unhealthy lifestyle deletes all of the benefits of good genes.

The researchers made a genetic score based on fifty genes that are associated with heart disease. They developed a lifestyle score based on whether the individuals smoked, exercised at least once a week, whether they followed a healthy diet, and whether they were obese.. Having three or all four of the elements denoted an optimum score. One group in the study that was analyzed involved black and white Americans who were aged from 45-64; in this group, a good lifestyle cut the ten-year likelihood of heart disease from 10.7% to 5.1%. Another study involved 21,222 American women aged 45 and older who were health professionals; in this group their ten-year risk fell from 4.6% to 2%. In another group in the study, Swedish participants aged 44 to 73 had a ten-year risk reduction from 8.2% to 5.3%. In the last group, Americans aged from 55 to 80, the individuals with genetic risk but a healthy lifestyle had significantly less calcium, in their coronary arteries, which is a sign of heart disease. The last study showed that the hypothesis that they began with: a healthy lifestyle can cut the risk for heart disease even in people that are genetically exposed- was proving to be true.

This study was eye opening because I always thought that heart disease was genetic. I knew that a healthy lifestyle could help to lower risks though. I thought it was a good idea to assign all of the participants a score based on their daily exercise and their lifestyle choices in general; it made the data easier to understand because that was explained.

Gene Linked to Binge Eating Disorder

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have recently published their findings in Biological Psychiatry on a gene that has been linked to Binge Eating Disorder. Through the use of gene mapping they have been able to identify this gene (CYFIP2) as a possible risk, though it is the first to be discovered in model organisms or human beings. They have also been able to discover genes that are involved in a process called myelination (where a casing forms on a nerve to promote quick impulses) that are linked to binge eating as well. There is little knowledge based on linking genes to certain diseases and disorders, so this research may be essential in treating many issues. 

Binge Eating Disorder is a huge problem for millions of people, consisting of a desire to eat large quantities of food in a short period of time and often making oneself sick or uncomfortable from being too full afterwards. It stems from a loss of control that is very difficult to regain. 

The significance of this study is that it provides a starting point that researchers can go off of for further research revolving around genes and disorders. If we can figure out what genes are influencing disorders like Binge Eating then the next step is to find a way to manipulate them, and this in turn will lower obesity rates and benefit many people as a whole. I believe this is an extremely important study because most people know others who have been affected by an eating disorder, and if scientists can pinpoint the exact genes that cause them, then it would be extremely life altering for millions of people. 

Link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/313772.php

Results of a Defect in the MC4R Gene

A study was conducted to link obese individuals with the MC4R gene. Obese individuals usually enjoy indulging in foods with high fat content. High fat content will lead to an excess in caloric intake which may lead to weight gain.A study was conducted with lean and obese individuals. However, some of the obese individuals possessed the defective MC4R gene. The individuals were taken to an open buffet. The buffet served chicken with similar tastes, but each entrée contained a different percentage of fat content. The result was that the obese individuals with the defective gene ate significantly more of the higher fat content chicken than the lean and obese individuals. The defect in the gene causes individuals to enjoy eating the higher fatty foods than an individual with an unaffected gene. Another experiment was conducted, but this time the test was sugar content. The obese individuals with the defective gene ate remarkably less of the higher sugar content in this desert. The lean and obese individuals liked the desert with the higher sugar content. The calories obtained per gram of fat is double the amount produced by carbohydrates and proteins. The individuals with the defective gene are preferring to eat foods with higher fat content which further allows for a problem with weight gain. This article was very interesting to read because obesity is such a big problem in this country. For many individuals it is difficult to lose weight and this gene is most likely the cause of the problem. It would be very interesting if the same gene in an unaffected individual was cloned and administered to the genome of an individual with the defective gene. It is possible that this would allow an obese individual with the defective gene to have less desire to eat such unhealthy, high fat content foods.

Genetic Link to Addiction

Researches have noticed that people who clear nicotine slower are twice as likely to become addicted. The study focused on genetic defects that have a moderate or sever affects on the liver's ability to metabolize nicotine. 281 seventh graders that have begun to smoke, but not are not necessarily addicted were studied and thirteen percent had versions of the defected gene. Also having the nicotine remain in the brain longer also sped up the addiction.

It would be interesting to see how well this study develops. It could help save lives of many Americans from having to rely on such an addictive drug that is so readily available and is harming so many. Having a better understanding of how toxins affect us and how are body react to them can all be discovered through genetics.