Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD is a form of depression related to the change in season. Most people affected by SAD experience a depressive episode during the change from spring and summer to fall and winter. Seasonal affective disorder can be treated through medications and light therapy and symptoms can range from mild to severe depression.
As awareness around mental health conditions grows, research into causes and risk factors has also expanded. In 2018 a paper was published in Nature magazine focused on a possible genetic component to seasonal affective disorder. Genetic risk factors for other mental illnesses have been determined through similar genetic analysis. During this study however, researchers did not find one gene statistically significant but concluded there is a stong likelihood that gene ZBTB20 is involved. Researchers determined gene ZBTB20 had the strongest association through he genome-wide analysis.
Hey Rachel! I love article choice. I think it is very interesting that people are affected by the change in season in a mental aspect. What a great topic to be discussed especially considering it is now getting colder out and many may be suffering from SAD and not even know. I also found it very interesting that there may be a specific gene (ZBTB20) that could possibly be involved in this condition. Maybe if research can narrow down the responsible genes we can find better treatments for mental health!
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