Woman without fear lucky to be alive

A WOMAN who knows no fear because of damage to a key emotion centre in her brain is lucky to be alive, scientists have said.

The US woman, known only as SM, lives in a poor and dangerous neighbourhood and has been the victim of numerous crimes.

Over the years she has shrugged off being held at knife and gunpoint, death threats, and assaults, and was once nearly killed by an act of domestic violence.