Genetic Link Found Between Sleep Patterns and Depression

Scientists have long known that sleep and circadian rhythms play a crucial role in human health, influencing metabolism, immunity, and cognitive performance. The article explains that many aspects of sleep such as duration, quality, and whether someone is naturally a morning or evening person, are moderately heritable, meaning genetics contributes significantly to these traits. Because of this, researchers are increasingly turning to genetic studies to uncover how specific DNA variations shape our sleep patterns and why disruptions in these biological rhythms can increase the risk of chronic diseases. The review highlights recent progress in identifying genes linked to sleep behavior and circadian timing, emphasizing how genetic research is helping clarify the biological foundations of sleep and its impact on overall health.

Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41576-022-00519-z

A large genetics study found that specific gene variations regulating sleep cycles are strongly linked to an individual’s risk for depression. People with a genetically “delayed” circadian rhythm are more likely to develop mental health disorders.
This study is important because it shows how our genes influence behaviors and emotions in ways we might not realize. Understanding these connections could improve mental health treatments and help personalize therapy based on genetic profiles.

Link: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Genetic-Correlations-of-Depression-BIP-I-BIP-II-with-Biological-Rhythms-rggenetic_fig1_363736302

Eyes on the Mind: Retinal Clues to Schizophrenias Genetic Roots

A groundbreaking study has found that our eyes may hold subtle signs of schizophrenia before symptoms ever appear. Researchers from the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich discovered that people with higher genetic risk for schizophrenia show slight thinning in specific layers of the retina, even without a diagnosis. 

Using data from nearly 35,000 participants in the UK Biobank, the study linked schizophrenia-related genes to reduced thickness in the macula, the retina’s central region vital for sharp vision. A key discovery was thinning in the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), particularly among individuals with genes tied to inflammation. The likely culprit? Neuroinflammation. Higher genetic risk was also linked to increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, which may help explain the retinal changes. While retinal imaging isn’t a stand-alone diagnostic tool, it could become a useful, noninvasive way to monitor risk when combined with other markers. The research adds weight to the idea that inflammation and neurodegeneration play a role in schizophrenia, and that the retina might offer a glimpse into the brain’s hidden battles.

Sources:

https://www.insideprecisionmedicine.com/topics/precision-medicine/retina-thickness-offers-noninvasive-insights-into-schizophrenia-genetics/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-025-00414-6#Sec2

Study Illuminates the Genetic Architecture of Bipolar Disorder

 NIH Study Sheds Light on a Common Mental Disorder

    A very common mental disorder named Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health conditioned ultimately characterized by extreme fluctuations in mood, energy, and lastly behavior. In the article, it goes ahead and explains many people feeling extremely "up" or irritable and also feeling very "down" or lack of pleasure. This disorder can be treated with medication, but over a long period of time it can get challenging to keep up with. The study suggests "a persons risk for developing bipolar disorder is influenced by many genes but open questions remain about the full range of genes involved and whether they differ for specific subtypes." This study is the largest to date with including 158,036 people with the specific disorder and 2,796,499 total people who do not have the disorder. The participants were of East Asian, African American, Latino, and European. In this study they found almost 300 gene locations and 36 unique genes being linked to this disorder. There were shown to be many overlapping other mental disorders like depression and schizophrenia. This research is a building block and new medications or approaches can be sought out and identified to help individuals suffering from bipolar disorder and even other types.

    My dad suffers from bipolar disorder and I know a few others who do to. It is more common than we know and some people just brush the symptoms off or don't know what to look for, so it gets untreated. It is great that researchers want to know more about the architecture of it and what genes make up the mental disorder. More studies and research can help educate individuals suffering from this specific disorder or even healthcare workers can learn something too. I wonder what research in the future will look like and what advancements in medicines and approaches there will be to help people like my dad. 

Sources:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2025/study-illuminates-the-genetic-architecture-of-bipolar-disorder

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder

Does Depression Result From Genetics?

 Article Link: https://fherehab.com/learning/factors-increase-genetic-predisposition-mental-health/ 

Additional Link: https://www.verywellmind.com/common-causes-of-depression-1066772 

Have you ever heard the phrase, “depression runs in the family?” The 2021 article posted on FHE Health states that Mental illness is a biopsychosocial disease that has a strong genetic component. Even though the exact set of causes have yet to be determined, if a parent, sibling or grandparent is diagnosed with a mental illness, the likelihood of developing the same or similar kind of mental illness does increase. Genetic disorders appear when abnormalities happen in the person’s genome. These genetic disorders are inherited when a defective gene from both parents is passed to their children and then affect the child’s DNA. 

A study posted in 2018 determined that genetic mental health disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, ADHD, bipolar disorder and depression are traceable to certain inherited gene variations. Functional magnetic resonance imaging scans showed that people with the genetic variation occurring in the serotonin transporter gene demonstrated hyperactivity in a brain area that processes anxiety and fear. This genetic variation is involved in brain cell signaling and communication. However, for depression the association to having this mental illness and its traces of heritability are still unclear. There’s ongoing research which supports the theory that the interaction between genetic and environmental factors increase a person’s chance of developing depression. 

It is very interesting to hear about the science of mental illness and how some mental disorders can be traced back to the individual's inherited genes. I am wondering what further research can be done to further understand the correlation between genetics and mental health. 

Is there a genetic factor in depression

 Depression and depression-related disorders (DD) are some of the most common and studied mental illnesses. An individual with depression or a DD can experience a wide range of symptoms, from disinterest in hobbies to suicidal thoughts. Depression often affects an individual beginning in adolescence and can last a lifetime. Medications are available for people who struggle with depression. Depression can also have many causes such as a hormonal imbalance or trauma. 

In 2018 physiologists and geneticists attempted to discover a clear genetic link to depression. They analyzed the genome of individuals with depression and DD who also had a familial history of the condition. Through their analysis, they were unable to determine a clear link. I chose to highlight this study because it shows that there is still a lot more for us to discover related to depression and its heritability. 

Genetic Testing Could Greatly Benefit Patients With Depression, Save Health System Millions

    A study from the University of British Columbia suggests that implementing pharmacogenomic testing to determine the best antidepressant for patients with moderate-to-severe depression could potentially lead to substantive health system savings and improve patient outcomes. This study, published in the CMAJ, Canadian Medical Association Journal, indicates that in British Columbia alone, pharmacogenomic testing could save an estimated $956 million over 20 years. The aim of pharmacogenomics is to match patients with the appropriate treatment plan by looking into how gene variations affect one’s response to medications. This is done in hopes of finding the best medication and dosing that is likely to be more effective and cause fewer side effects for each individual. This testing uses genetic information that is usually obtained using a cheek swab, blood test, or saliva sample. The findings of this study show that the results are not only cost-effective but also may increase remission rates and increase one's quality of life while also reducing hospitalization rates and intensive treatments. The researchers of this study worked with patient partners, clinicians, and healthy system and government partners in order to develop a simulation model that mimics the experience of majorly depressed patients. 

    The results of this model simulation showed that this testing would result in 37% fewer patients experiencing treatment-refractory depression, where the patients' depression remains unaffected despite several types of treatment. The results of implementing pharmacogenomic testing also showed that patients experience 15% more time without symptoms of depression which results in an anticipated “1,869 fewer deaths and 21,346 fewer hospital admissions over 20 years. This study states that depression is one of the largest public health issues as 1 in 10 Canadians will experience major depression at some point in their lives. Though there are more than 35 antidepressant medications available, over half of patients don’t respond to the medication they are prescribed, and about 27% experience adverse effects. Due to the statistical increase in mental health illnesses over the past 10 years, I believe that the urgency and importance of this study increases. Though it is difficult to prescribe the most effective medication on the first try, pharmacogenomic testing could narrow the medication selection and help physicians make a more informed treatment decision, and reduce the lengthy process of trial and error. Not only does it help improve the patients' quality of life more quickly but it can also save resources and money. 

Links:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231114143921.htm

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/998508#:~:text=The%20model%20predicted%20that%20testing,million%20CAD%20over%2020%20years

Largest Ever Study of Suicide Genetics Gives Clues to Who's at Risk

 Largest Ever Study of Genetics Gives Clues to Who's at Risk 

    New research has discovered that 12 genes can be linked to an increased risk of attempting suicide. People from 22 different populations, also ethnically diverse, were studied for this research. The data also included about 44,000 documented suicide attempts as well as more than 915,000 ancestors of these people who served as the control group. What they found was that not only one gene influences risk, but multiple of them at once. "If we can use genetic information to characterize the health risks of those who attempt suicide, we can better identify those patients who need contact with the mental healthcare system." Anna Docherty, study author states.  

    I believe that this study can save a lot of lives. I do understand that there are environmental, work-related, school-related, and other factors that contribute to depression which can lead to attempting suicide, but I never thought about how genetics plays a role in this. I think it would be good if doctors could target these people because of genetic testing because they could then get these people the help that they need before they get to their breaking point. I think it would be good because they can catch this before the person is even in that state and they can just go to preventative therapy. I think this can be used in many ways depending on the person and how exactly they are feeling. 

LINKS: 

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-10-04/largest-ever-study-of-suicide-genetics-gives-clues-to-whos-at-risk

https://newsadvance.com/life-entertainment/nation-world/wellness/largest-ever-study-of-suicide-genetics-gives-clues-to-whos-at-risk/article_a4c6d418-fc51-52cf-a24e-55643f1489dc.html?mode=comments

Genetic Basis of the Brain-Gut Axis in IBS

From Gene to Gut: IBS and Your Mental Health

    With the upward trend of brain-gut connection research, comes intriguing results. Researchers from the University of Oslo, University of Bergen, and University of California, have found conclusive results about the connection between genetic inheritance of IBS and mental health conditions. The sample size included 53,400 people with IBS and 433,201 control participants while they searched for genomic risk loci, or specific areas of interest in DNA sequences that appeared to correlate with the IBS and mental health conditions. IBS and mental health conditions are polygenic traits as they rely on a heavy influence from various genes, and many of these genes were found to be shared in the sample sizes. There were 70 loci identified in the connection between IBS and mental health conditions, with the results concluding: 7 associated with GAD, 35 with depression, 15 with schizophrenia, and 27 with BPD. Now, new connections and pathways between the brain and gut can be better examined and enhance our understanding of these conditions.

    This was a great article to read, and also put many things into perspective. Many clinicians neglect the fact that a physical medical condition can have an impact on your mental health, and I believe this data directly proves there is a definite connection between the two. Furthermore, IBS is often used to describe food sensitivity to FODMAPS, and most people with IBS are instructed to follow a low FODMAP diet; however, this alludes to the fact that maybe IBS shouldn't be classified as a food-sensitivity related disorder, but rather that of a mental health condition because stress and anxiety factors can trigger the same symptoms. In my opinion, this is a classical case of medicine placing an umbrella term for a condition that can have many different causes, but are neglected to be looked into any further. I feel strongly about this topic, and hope to change the narrative when I enter the medical field.

Links for further research:

1) https://www.sciencealert.com/many-of-the-genes-behind-ibs-could-also-affect-our-mental-health 

2) https://medicine.missouri.edu/news/irritable-bowel-syndrome-patients-suffer-high-rates-anxiety-and-depression

Genes that could identify Schizophrenia

 

Genetic similarities between PTSD and other mental health disorders

 

 

In the article "Genetic analysis yields new insights into PTSD", a study conducted by researchers at Yale and the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) has uncovered that there are genetic similarities between PTSD and other mental disorders such as anxiety and bipolar disorder. Researchers are also trying to identify the genetic cause of neuropsychiatric diseases. There are various symptoms between PTSD and other mental health disorders. There are three clinical symptoms linked to just PTSD which are re-experience of a traumatic event, anger and irritability, ad avoidance of subject relating to past trauma. The gene variants are also found in disorders like depression. Drugs used for major depression or schizophrenia can be used to treat PTSD. The gene MAD1L1 of PTSD which regulates cell cycling, is also found in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients. The specific gene can be a general risk factor for people of different kinds of mental or behavioral disorders.

https://news.yale.edu/2021/01/28/genetic-analysis-yields-new-insights-ptsd

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd 

New Research Strengthens Relationship Between Genetics and Suicide

 

Scientists at the University of Utah Health are working on a study called the Utah Suicide Genetic Risk Study (USGRS) in order to further understand suicidal behavior in order to prevent more. For this study, they worked with the Medical Examiner's Office to get DNA from over eight thousand suicide victims and with the Utah Population Database to get medical, demographic, and genealogical data. They have found a few things so far. One is that they have identified five rare genetic variants that can help them identify genes associated with suicide. Rare variants can change proteins and genes and how they both function, which can influence the likelihood of a person committing suicide. Along with variants, they also found a pair of variants for a gene that also increase the likelihood. Neurexin-1 (NRXN1) regulates synapse activity in the brain. Variants for this can elevate the risk of suicide. They have also discovered that among those who suffer from bipolar disorder, those with prior trauma and with a genetic disposition for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at a greater risk of suicide. They found that these individuals are ten to thirty times more likely to commit. While researchers are still gathering this information, they do have to note that while a person may have these variants and genetic history, it does not mean that they will commit suicide, just that their risk is elevated.

 

 https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/newsroom/news/2021/07/7-suicide-genetics.php

 https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2020/08/31/suicide-family-genetic-risk/

Is BPD Genetic?

Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental health disorder that is often characterized by unstable moods, self-image, and behavior. People with BPD often struggle with creating stable relationships with people. About 1.4% of the U.S population suffers from BPD. But how does genetics relate to BPD? Borderline Personality Disorder involves two genes: DPYD and PKP4. These genes are a large component of whether or not a person develops the disorder. Not only are these genes linked to BPD, but they are also linked to other brain disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. BPD has a heritability rate of 46%. In addition, an individual is more likely to develop BPD if a family member has the conditions. How close one is to the family member also affects if a person develops BPD or not. Researchers often use hazard ratios to describe the risk and heritability of BPD. For example, identical twins have a hazard ratio of 11.5, meaning they are more likely to develop BPD than fraternal twins who have a hazard ratio of 7.4. Last but not least, treatments of BPD include psychotherapy, schema-focused therapy, among others. I hope that as people learn more about mental health conditions such as BPD, the stigma around mental illness slowly starts to fade.




Article Link: https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-borderline-personality-disorder-genetic-5191970






Related Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2021/08/01/new-research-offers-insight-into-the-origins-of-borderline-personality-disorder/?sh=1beee2ea412a

Bipolar and Race

 

Bipolar and Race

Bipolar is a genetic disease that is highlighted by two keys things. Mania and depression. Mania is a high where racing thoughts and actions occur. Manic depression is where the patient experiences severe withdraws. The point of this article is to see if race has any difference. The article does a great job of clarifying this. Race and severity of bipolar don't correlate. Bipolar is a mental health issue that needs to be focused on more. I have someone in my family with it and I hope on day that a cure can be found so that his brain chemistry is in tact. Bipolar is a struggle that most people don't even notice. 

Bipolar disorder and race: Disparities in diagnosis and treatment (medicalnewstoday.com)

Bipolar disorder: Causes, symptoms, types, and treatment (medicalnewstoday.com)

Does Gender Leave you at a Higher Disposition for Psychiatric Diseases?

 

Researchers have found that certain psychotic disorders are linked to sex genes. This is to help shed light as to why disorders like, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders appear and affect differently in men and women. There were almost 12 SNPs that differed in men and women in the same disorders of these three primarily studied. These SNP were found in neuronal, cardiovascular, and vascular pathways. The SNPs were seen giving an increased chance of developing one disease in one sex. Scientists have been trying to see how genetics and environmental factors increase the risk for these disorders. IPSYCH and Psychiatric Genomics Consortium have been the main contenders in this research. It has been seen that men have a slightly higher risk for schizophrenia but two folds higher for major depression and anxiety disorders in women. This is true for all men and women, meaning it does not differ throughout cultures. The SNP in IDO2 gene has been found to decrease the risk of major depression & schizophrenia in women while increasing the risk in men. But it did increase the risk of bipolar in women and decrease the risk in men. This can be used to help specify treatments for the different sexes.

Overall, I find this very interesting and very important for this day in age. We have seen so many mental health diseases but is it due to environmental differences. Or have they have always been there, but undiagnosed. These genetic predispositions that are leaving people at higher risk to these disorders and a heavily judgmental society due to the use of social media I believe have been sending the amount of diagnosed mental health diseases skyrocketing. I currently work in a pharmacy and it is sad to say but I would say around 95% of prescriptions are related to the treatment of mental disorders whether it be antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, etc. Menta; health has never been more important in this difficult time we are in and this research will help our understanding of mental diseases furtherer.

 

https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/genetic-variants-tied-to-sex-differences-in-psychiatric-disorders-68624

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30127341/

https://www.the-scientist.com/features/sex-differences-in-the-brain-34758

The Cross Link Between Genetics and Suicide

 

         Suicide has been a rising cause of death in America. One reason many people feel suicidal is because of their family history with mental health. Not only has family history contributed to suicidal tendencies, it also can cause depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and more mental health issues. Genome wide association study (GWAS) was used to study different families to cross check their genomes. Approximately 22 genes were discovered that indicated elevated risk of suicide death. Although family history is just one factor of the many environmental factors such as childhood, trauma, and poverty; it still increases a person's likelihood. With that being said I believe more people and families should seek therapy. Suicidal thoughts will never truly go away, you learn to live with it and become the bigger person. However not many people can afford therapy which is why better FREE counseling services should be provided at schools and colleges as well as better education to children and adults about suicide and how to prevent it.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-11-genetic-discovery-suicide-families.html

https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19101025

Happiness Can Be Inherited

Much like a lot of mental and behavioral aspects, genetics and the environment both play a role to certain extents. A 2011 study found that people with a certain form of the 5-HTTLPR gene reported higher life satisfaction. Another study done in 2016 pinpointed 3 different genetic variants associated with wellbeing, along with environmental factors of course. Although this research suggests that happiness can be genetic, that is not the only thing controlling it, you are not limited by your genes. It takes a lot of practice but you can take control of your happiness. Some ways to boost your levels of happiness could be to exercise, eat healthier, showing kindness to others, volunteering, laughing (even if its forcefully), and connecting with yourself spiritually. The relationship between happiness and genetics is the same with depression, where its can be inherited but also affected by other environmental factors. The difference is that with depression, when you inherit those traits that make you more susceptible to the disease, you might not experience it until something from the environment triggers it, like the death of a loved one or the changing of the seasons. I think its research like this one that plays a key role in the way our society views mental health. With the knowledge that mental disorders and overall health is not completely controllable by yourself, more people can be more accepting of the concept of mental health and will try to take care of that part of themselves more often. 

https://www.insider.com/is-happiness-genetic 

https://www.insider.com/is-depression-genetic 

Genes Linked to Addiction

   

    Studies have been done to discover the linkage of genetics and addiction. With the opioid epidemic striking the population, this topic has been a cause of interest for many people. The gentic  information in our cells influence the way our brains function and our physical responses to chemicals within our bodies. Therefore, it is apparent that some people become addicted to drugs based off of the way they respond to the chemicals they are exposed to. The Human Genome Project allowed scientists to study the entire genetic make up of humans and figure out how they can use genetics to compete with addiction. There are limitations to this experiment, however researchers are working on a discovery to help those who suffer from addiction. Researchers are also studying the family linkage of drug abuse. While studying this linkage, they have found genetic markers that may trigger addiction, but have also found the same genetic markers in family members who are not addicted to drugs.
     According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, genetic information only accounts for half of a person's vulnerability. Other factors include age when a person starts using mind altering substances, neighborhood, availability, presence of mental health issues, and gender. Addiction genes need a trigger from the environment to be activated.
     I believe this is a topic that should be further studied to figure out a better way to treat those who suffer from drug abuse. I personally believe it is a disease that should be treated like one and many people are dying from this disease. It is an extremely hard subject to find a definite solution to, however, we can keep trying.

www.addictionandrecovery.org
https://thecanyonmalibu.com/drug-addiction/genetics

Genetics Behind Depression is different in Men and Women

It was recently published in the Journal of Biological Psychiatry, that the molecular mapping of depression is different among men and women. Our gender determines how certain genes are expressed, and the genes for depression, in men and women, can have opposite expressions. This means that men and women could possibly be treated differently for the disorder. In a study, completed by the University of Pittsburg and Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, tissue from postmortem brain tissue of 50 people with diagnosed clinical depression was analyzed. 26 were men and 24 were women. In addition, 50 postmortem brains, without depression, were analyzed. In women, it was found that the gene affecting synapse function in women was more expressed, than it is in men, creating ore protein. However, in men, it was the opposite effect. Only 21 genes had the same effect in both men and women. 

Additionally, researchers found that depression is more common among women, and women are more likely to have symptoms associated with their depression, such as weight gain.

This study is monumental for the world of mental health. It shows there is opposing pathology for sexes, which can change how depression is treated differently in men and women; this could make treatments work better. 

Link to Article: https://gizmodo.com/the-genetics-of-depression-are-different-for-men-and-wo-1823763197

Image: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/11/what-dna-actually-looks-like/265713/

Your Genes May Influence When You Lose Your Virginity

http://www.livescience.com/54445-genes-influence-age-of-losing-virginity.html

While the age that people have their first sexual encounter is largely due to environmental factors such as family or society, scientists are suggesting that this can also be due to an individual’s genetics. Researchers are interested in this topic because they propose that the age at which a person has their first sexual encounter can affect mental health and educational achievements later in life. Puberty at an earlier age in linked to increased risk for diseases, so the age of their first sexual experience is also a topic of interest. In order to test this, researchers identified 38 genes and separated them into two groups: the ones that influence a person’s physical maturity, and the others that contribute to personality type. The genes that influence the physical maturity are involved with puberty and therefore have an effect on when the body is ready for sex. The genes that influence personality affect whether or not that person is more inclined to take risks as well as their level of irritability. The risky people tend to  have sex earlier, while the irritable people tend to have sex later on in life. While genetics does have an effect, so does social factors, so ultimately the timing of the first sexual experience is nature and nurture.

While genetics seems to also contribute to the age at which a person has sex, I believe that it is affected greater by social aspects. Regardless of whether or not a person has genes that supposedly make a person have sex earlier, this cannot be done unless they have someone who is willing to have sex with them. While some people are willing to have sex with anyone, others have certain values where they either will not have sex unless they are in a serious relationship, or even until they are married due to religious beliefs. However, it is interesting that the age at which a person goes through puberty and the age of when they first have sex can affect their mental health later on in life. The more these factors are researched, the better understanding we will have on the effects of these topics.

European mental health project targets biological roots of social withdrawal

"Inappropriate social integration is a common, but neglected facet of the majority of neuropsychiatric disorders,"says neuroscientist Martien Kas of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and coordinator of the new Psychiatric Ratings using Intermediate Stratified Markers (PRISM) project.

PRISM goal is to identify any biological similarities in individuals affected with Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder that correlate to social withdrawal and common factors. This project uses measures specific tests to track social behavior, and will try to identify any core phenotypes in behavior across a variation of psychiatric conditions, and identify designated pathways underlying those behaviors.

I think this project is super cool. When people become diagnosed with disorders such as major depression or schizophrenia, its likely they were also diagnosed a couple of disorders since the symptoms can sometimes overlap with each other. But when psychiatrists diagnose people and plan treatments, they don't necessarily think of the brain itself and just the symptoms observed within the patient. This project allows the research to get to the core factors in brain activity between these mental disorders.

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/04/european-mental-health-project-targets-biological-roots-social-withdrawal