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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.