Scientists in Germany and the United States have reported evidence linking genes to anxious behavior. The findings appear in the August issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, published by the American Psychological Association.

By showing that people who carry a common variation of a gene that regulates the neurotransmitter dopamine have an exaggerated “startle” reflex when viewing unpleasant pictures, the researchers offer a biochemical explanation for why some people find it harder to regulate emotional arousal.

Their sensitivity may, in combination with other hereditary and environmental factors, make them more prone to anxiety disorders.

Continued in article Genes affect anxiety and startle response.

Image from book: Boo! Culture, Experience, and the Startle Reflex, by Ronald Simons.