Do Genius and Madness Go Hand in Hand

The Genius people always face the social stigma of being eccentric or absent minded at least. Research done in the field of psychology now substantiates this age old observation. This article tries to gain further insight.

“Molecular factors that are loosely associated with severe mental disorders but are present in many healthy people may have an advantage enabling us to think more creatively.”

– Lead Scientist Szabolcs Keri, University of Semmelweis, Hungry.

Knowledge Gained from the Research: A gene called Neuregulin 1 plays a vital role in brain development. When the structure of the molecules of this gene get changed in a particular way(technically called Mutation), mental illnesses take place. This modified gene is linked to Psychosis, Depression, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Scientists in Hungry have discovered the presence of this modified gene in creative people. There are several reasons or mechanisms by which the molecular structure of genes get altered.

What the Research Involved?

• The scientists recruited a group of volunteers for studying creativity.
• These volunteers considered themselves to be very accomplished and creative people.
• They were given a questionnaire with unusual questions to answer.
• The originality and flexibility in the answers decided the subject’s creativity.
• They were also made to fill a questionnaire on their lifetime creative achievements.
• Then their blood samples were taken.
• Volunteers with modified genes of Neuregulin 1 scored high on creativity assessment and life time creative achievements.
• Volunteers with other types of modified genes of Neuregulin 1 scored low.
• In this way, this study clearly established a link between genius and madness.

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