Genetics and fear

Stathmin gene and Amygdala
Recent research works by Dr. Gleb Shumyatsky and Prof. Eric Kandel have led to the identification of the Stathmin gene. This gene is highly enriched in the amygdala and is believed to be involved in controlling both innate and learned fear in mice. They "knocked out" the stathmin gene in the amygdala using gene knockout technology and found that mice that lacked the stathmin gene lacked any kind of fear. For instance, such mice did not freeze on sighting a cat.