Genes determine the sixth sense in humans

In addition to the usual 5 senses, humans also have the ability to perceive space, senses based on genetics.

The sixth sense in humans is called Proprioception , or the ability of the brain to understand where the body is in space, Live Science reported on September 22.

When the police asked a drunken person to touch their nose with their fingers, they were checking this sensation. Thanks to it, we feel how the chair is shaped. We can guess how much milk is left in the paper box when it just picks up and shakes it lightly. This sensation is caused by "proprioceptors", a self-inducing organ in cells located on muscles and receiving tendons.

Previous studies in mice showed that the PIEZO2 gene may play a role in sensory senses. It is also a gene that requires cells that make "mechanically sensitive" proteins to sense their ability to act, such as when someone presses on the skin.

A special gene mutation causes the body to lose its ability to sense space.(Photo: Science Magazine).

To understand the effect of PIEZO2 on humans, researchers at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) selected two young patients, who had a rare PIEZO2 mutation, had joint problems and had a crooked Spine. Patients are required to perform some motion and balance-related tests. The team found patients had difficulty walking if blindfolded.

In another experiment, patients were asked to approach an object in front of them, in two cases with and without blindfold. Compared to those without mutated genes, these patients find it difficult to reach an object when blindfolded.

In addition, mutants of the PIEZO2 gene could hardly predict the direction of their hands and feet movement when they were controlled by a doctor, making it difficult to sense the vibrations of the skin on the skin. A patient also feels uncomfortable when gently stroking the arm part, in contrast to the usually pleasant feeling.

The experiments showed that PIEZO2 mutants were "blindly exposed ", Alexander Chesler, the lead author of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on September 21, said.

"The mutant version of PIEZO2 may not work, making patients' nervous systems unable to detect contact or movement of limbs , " Chesler said.

According to the study, other parts of the nervous system still function normally. Patients may feel pain, itching, cold temperature, cognitive ability is equivalent to those of non-mutant genes.