Bad Memory? Might be Due to Genetics

Bad Memory? Might be Due to Genetics

More than 100 genes have been identified to play a role in memory processing in the human brain. This study is a part of a relatively new field called “imaging genetics” it focuses on how genes determine structural and functional organization in the brain. Past studies that tried to link behavior and genes but lacked neural markers which can be essential to link to the two. The memory genes were able to be identified by using genotyping and brain imaging. The study used RNA in post- mortem brain tissue and intracranial EEG (iEEg) data from epilepsy patients alone with analyses from fMRI data linking resting- state brain behavior to specific genes. The RNA allowed researcher to determine gene expression. The iEEG data from epilepsy patients performing episodic memory task while electrodes would localize seizures essential inhibits function of specific parts of the brain. Interestingly some memory genes overlap with several genes associated with autism which bring about new research opportunities. I found this article to be interesting because it is combining genetics with cognitive neuroscience which I have not heard of before. Usually cognitive neuroscience is focused on what brain structure performs what function or what role does a certain neurotransmitter play. Now researchers are looking at the origin of these components which reflex upon the advancements of technology and understood knowledge. Also, I believe this study could continue and eventually help people who experience memory loss whether the loss is due to age, amnesia, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Epidemic

      

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

                 A.D.H.D. medications were in short supply from the fall of 2011 to the spring of 2012 throughout the United States. This shortage was due to the supply being outpaced by the request for the medication. Prior to the 1990’s, less than 5% of school-aged children were thought to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 11% of adolescences from the ages of 4 to 17 had received the news that they had A.D.H.D.; this 11% does not include the adult population. This shows that the number of children diagnosed with A.D.H.D has skyrocketed over the past 20 years.

A.D.H.D. Medications

                For many years people felt that A.D.H.D. was a made up disorder. Yet, facts have shown that A.D.H.D. is a genetic based disease. The way that scientist determine if specific behaviors and traits are genetically based are by comparing twins. Identical twins share almost 100% of the same genes, while fraternal twins share about half of their genes. This shows that if a disorder is genetically based, the identical twins have a higher chance of sharing it than the fraternal twins. Researchers at Michigan State University, in 2010, studied 22 different twins and established that the traits of hyperactivity and inattentiveness are greatly inheritable. Also, studies that use brain-imaging, display dissimilarities between people who were diagnosed with A.D.H.D. and people who were not. These images show that people with A.D.H.D. have less receptors for chemical messenger dopamine in specific regions. This would cause the brain to not function to its highest abilities.

Brain Imaging of Non-ADHD and ADHD patients.

 

            Since so many children and adults are diagnosed with A.D.H.D. the increase in medications has raised. New medications are being produced and more medications are being distributed. The genetic disorder A.D.H.D. affects the lives of many people, especially children. Now knowing about this disease had opened up the door to improvement for it. Children are now receiving the assistance that they need to become focused and do well in school. There are therapists for them to talk to, there is access to tutors, and time modifications for standardized testing. Also, there is a drug treatment for this disease. People are beginning to realize that this is not a disease that is just made up and people do suffer from this. It really makes a difference to do the studies and find out where this disease comes from and how you can resolve the problem.

             To me many children do have A.D.H.D. and they need for it to be taken care of. It distracts them from the things that they need to do and accomplish in life. It can be the difference if they do good in school and obtain and retain an education. Knowing the it is a genetic disease does help figure out how they can fix the problem and make medication to fix the problem. I do believe that people do abuse the used of A.D.H.D. medications and that does need to be looked into. Though many people are diagnosed with A.D.H.D. I do not feel that they all have the disease.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/magazine/the-not-so-hidden-cause-behind-the-adhd-epidemic.html?_r=0

http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-genetics-of-adhd/0003789