Genes lead to mind reading capabilities
DNA influences the ability to read a person's thoughts and emotions from looking at their eyes, according to a new study. The ‘cognitive empathy'/'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' Test by the scientists of University of Cambridge revealed that people can rapidly interpret what another person is thinking or feeling from looking at their eyes alone and women on average score better on this test than men. The team found that genes influence the performance on the Eyes Test, and identified genetic variants on chromosome 3 in women that are associated with their ability to "read the mind in the eyes." Interestingly, performance on the Eyes Test in males was not associated with genes in this particular region of chromosome 3. The closest genes in this tiny stretch of chromosome 3 include LRRN1 (Leucine Rich Neuronal 1) which is highly active in a part of the human brain called the striatum, and which has been shown using brain scanning to play a role in cognitive empathy. Also the genetic variants that contribute to higher scores on the Eyes Test also increase the volume of the striatum in humans [1].
Studies also found that people with autism and anorexia tend to score lower on the Eyes Test and genetic variants that contribute to higher scores on the Eyes Test also increase the risk for anorexia, but not autism. The scientists speculate that this may be because autism involves both social and non-social traits, and this Eyes Test only measures a social trait [2].
