A group of researchers from Canada and the UK have changed a single gene in the mice’s DNA to block a specific enzyme, called PDE4B, which is responsible for distributing such hormones as adrenalin in the organism, but is also allegedly connected to such pathologies as schizophrenia or manic-depressive illness.
As a result, the research team, led by Steve Clapcote, a lecturer in pharmacology at Britain’s Leeds University and Alexander McGirr, a psychiatrist in training at the University of British Columbia, Canada, found out that genetically modified mice became “smarter” as well as less fearful and anxious.
"This study highlights a potentially important role for the PDE4B gene in learning and memory in mice, but further studies will be needed to know whether the findings could have implications for Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. We’d need to see how this gene could influence memory and thinking in people to get a better idea of whether it could hold potential "
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