Researchers now realize that this surprising evidence of changing gene expression due to antipsychotic medications could open many doors for future gene-targeted and stem cell treatments. The brains of deceased people with bipolar disorder and also taking antipsychotic drugs at the time of death were donated among other “normal” brains. The brains of the bipolar patients taking the medications appeared to have similar function as the “normal” brains, which was unexpected.
"It was a major surprise to us that people treated with an antipsychotic [medication] had changes in the gene expression pattern," McInnis said.
The brains of people with bipolar disorder who were medicated was able to communicate and send signals similarly to a brain without bipolar disorder.
The creation of medications to treat psychiatric illnesses will change due to the new research and insight on biological mechanisms in diseases such as bipolar disorder. However, these medications are still at great concern for patients. The antipsychotic medications used to treat diseases like bipolar often have dangers that outweigh their benefits. This creates an obstacle for the future of new treatments in regards to the recent research evidence.
For more information visited the following sites: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/04/25/bipolar-disorder-drugs-may-tweak-genes-affecting-brain or http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130411105833.htm
This is great news. It is amazing that these drugs can affect gene expression. I know people who have bipolar disorder so also hits me on a personal note. But I have also seen the side effects of these drugs. I cant wait to here more what the scientist will discover in there new research.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoying hearing news that they are getting closer to finding cures or treatments for people suffering from mental illnesses. I have seen first hand how hard it is for the person with the illness and their families and loved ones and like the article mentions sometimes the medication to help can be harmful. I really hope this leads to someway to help people with bipolar disorder.
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