Newly published research from the University of Utah shows there
is a genetic connection to the emotional response to music. For
the study, music by Elvis Presley and others was played to gage
emotional hormone levels in people with Williams syndrome, a
well-documented genetic disorder. University of Utah professor
Dr. Julie Korenberg led the study, which is the first ever to
reveal new genes that control emotional response. She is hopeful
that the breakthrough will lead to better treatments of a wide
spectrum of disorders. "Social issues, and behavior anxiety,
autism, depression -- these are among, I think, the most
important things that we as a society need to understand and
help." Specifically, oxytocin and vasopressin blood levels were
measured -- two hormones released in the brain. Oxytocin is
often described as the "love hormone," but Dr. Korenberg says
there's more to it: "These higher oxytocin values are not just
positive. They are also negative. So, the higher oxytocin you
have, the more you tend to