Mon, 25 May 1998 13:09:11 EDT, Janet313 <[log in to unmask]>, wrote:

>NEWS: Dopamine receptor genetically linked to 'novelty-seeking' personality

>Researchers find behavioral evidence of personality genes in babies

<SNIP>
>"novelty-seeking" gene that may influence sensation-seeking in adults,
<SNIP>
>Babies with the gene DRD4 were more likely to follow a red ball with their
>eyes,  respond to a human face and pay attention to the sound of a rattle
>than other babies, according to an Israeli study of 81 infants just two
>weeks after birth.

>"Some of the reason they do that is because of a particular form of a gene"
<SNIP>
>"A child who even at two weeks reacts strongly to stimuli, seems to be
>alert, doesn't get scared, doesn't freeze in the crib -- that same person
>at 20 years old is willing to go mountain climbing, biking and drive his
>car too fast."
<SNIP>
>Ebstein, who previously studied the gene in adults, believes he is seeing
>evidence of the role genetics plays in influencing a person's temperament.

>DRD4 is a variation of one of the genes for a part of brain cells called a
>dopamine receptor.

>One brain cell signals another by releasing the chemical dopamine, which
>then attaches to receptors on the receiving cell.

>The dopamine system is responsible for movement, may be involved in
>learning and rewards and has been implicated in addiction.

>Some babies who had the "novelty-seeking" gene but lacked a so-called
>"neuroticism" gene -- believed by some to influence anxiety and harm
>avoidance -- showed even stronger novelty-seeking behavior, Ebstein found.

>Babies with the neuroticism gene but no novelty-seeking gene were more
>cautious.
<SNIP>


Hello Janet (Paterson),

This study was not directly conducted as PD-research.
But if you combine the search for genetic causes for PD with the above
research-result, there could be a reason for a follow-up-study, and then
PD-related!! Often PD has been thought linked to a certain "personality".
In many PWP the need for "novelty-seeking" has become less!

At this moment at the department of neuropsychology and neurology of the
"Rijksuniversiteit Groningen" (Groningen University, the Netherlands),
a psychological study is conducted looking for the relation between PD and
"novelty-seeking" (=the urge to develop spontaniously new activities).
The answers -to three lists of questions- given by PWP are compared with the
answers given by a control-group of not-PWP. On one of the lists the need
for "novelty-seeking is also compared between NOW and at the age of 25.

Do you know of any studies researching the combination: "novelty-seeking",
genes (e.g. DRD4) and PD?

Greetings, Hans.