Researchers have closed in on a particular gene that they believe makes certain people more susceptible to depression after exposure to traumatic experiences in their life, namely sexual or physical abuse during their child. Researchers at the University of Melbourne found some thought provoking data; they focused on the gene called SERT, which transports serotonin. There are three forms of this gene: (l/l), (s/l) and (s/s). Researchers studied 333 individuals of northern and western European ancestry. Their findings revealed that those who had the (s/s) genotype were 23% more likely to experience severe depression in middle age. It was also a strange and unique finding that people who had this same gene, who had no exposure to abuse, seemed to be happier than the rest of the population.
I think this is an interesting find. I was most shocked to hear that people who had the genotype making them more susceptible to depression were actually happier people if they did not have any traumatic experiences. In the future, it can help clinicians and psychiatrists assess the genetic profile of a patient better and hopefully see what situation is best fitting for the recovery of their patients.
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