Sense of smell holds a key to sense of fear

In a recent study published in Nature, University of Tokyo scientists revealed an important connection between scent and fear. By genetically altering a mouse’s sense of smell, scientists have cause the mouse to lose its innate fear of the potential predator, normally triggered by its scent. The test involved removing certain olfactory nerve cells in the mouse by inserting a gene for diphtheria toxin. The study also showed that there is clear separation in the olfactory system between smell responses that are innate, and those that are learned. More in the Belfast Telegraph.