A single hormone triggers anger in teens

London, United Kingdom, December 12: Why violent behavior peaks in adolescence has not only puzzled parents but has also stumped scientists. Searching for answers, researchers from the University of Cambridge discovered a hormone that triggers anger in teenagers, making them foul tempered.

Neurokinin B sparks the brains hypothalamus region to unleash chemicals at the onset of puberty. It causes hormone fluctuations leading to bouts of rage in youngsters. Brash, loud and often unintelligible ravings of teenagers have been traced to the little hormone Neurokinin B.

Professor Steve O’Rahilly, one of the researchers, said “This unexpected finding puts one more important piece in this unfinished jigsaw puzzle that is our understanding of puberty.”

A number of studies using mice and rats had linked Neurokinin B to puberty. The wider view was that its main role was water balance and cognitive function. The research clears the uncertainty and establishes the central role of the hormone in regulating awkwardness in adolescence.

The researchers examined a rare hereditary form of hormone deficiency in four Turkish families. The genetic disorder that prevents children developing normally into adults has helped researchers track down genesdefine which trigger puberty. The study looked at mutations in two specific genes and found that such a condition prevented a proper progression of puberty.

The study of Neorukinin B could lead to new treatment for sex hormone diseases like prostate cancerdefinedefine, new approaches to contraception and also treatments for children with delayed or abnormal puberty.

Dr Robert Semple, a researcher, said “I am excited by this discovery as it helps to understand the problem in rare patients in inherited defects in sexual maturation. However, identifying single genetic defects in patients with rare disorders also has implications for understanding normal regulations of key body functions.”

Research shows that the teenagers’ brains work differently. They do not have the ability to empathize with grown ups. They are inconsiderate about how their attitude affects others, often projecting an image of sullen selfish and poorly behaved thugs.

Unfortunately for parents, contrary to expectations, the research will not lead to the development of a drug to prevent teens from becoming like Harry Enfield’s Kevin the teenager.

However, Robert Semple states “I expect that this genetic discovery will lead to intense efforts to understand Neorukinin B’s role in puberty in more detail and try and develop clinically valuable drugs.”