Know why women are better at reading mind
Ever wondered how your wife or partner is able to read
your thoughts and emotions just by looking at your eyes? Her ability to
interpret may be the result of a gene influence, say researchers, one of Indian-origin. The
findings showed that the genetic variants on chromosome 3 in women are
associated with their ability to read the mind in the eyes — known as cognitive
empathy. The closest genes in this tiny stretch of chromosome 3 include LRRN1
(Leucine Rich Neuronal 1) which is highly active in a part of the human brain
called the striatum — which has been shown using brain scanning to play a role
in cognitive empathy, the researchers said.
“This is an important step forward for the field of
social neuroscience and adds one more piece to the puzzle of what may cause
variation in cognitive empathy,” said Varun Warrier, doctoral student at the
University of Cambridge.
Scientists have built upon a study first performed 20
years ago, called the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test. For the new
study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry,
the team analysed cognitive empathy in 89,000 people on this test. The
results confirmed that women on average do score better on this test because of
gene’s influence.
In addition, the researchers found that genetic
variants that contribute to higher scores in the test also increase the risk of
anorexia, but not autism, the researchers noted. “We are excited by this
new discovery, and are now testing if the results replicate, and exploring
precisely what these genetic variants do in the brain, to give rise to
individual differences in cognitive empathy,” explained Simon Baron-Cohen,
Professor at the University of Cambridge.
14.06.2017
It is better to learn late than
never
Publilius syrus
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