Bipolar Disorder Linked to Genetics?

    In the article written by the National Institute of Mental Health, researchers have identified genetic locations related to bipolar disorder and tell us the possible biological cause for the disorder. The study also compared the overlap between bipolar I disorder (manic and sometimes depressive episodes) and bipolar II disorder (depressive and hypomanic episodes). Bipolar I disorder shows a stronger genetic correlation with schizophrenia, while bipolar II disorder correlates with major depression. Now it is also noted that traits such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and sleeping issues can also affect bipolar disorder. To test the genome and understand differences researchers sampled 57 groups across Europe, North America, and Australia. This includes about 41K people with bipolar disorder, and 371K without. 64 genomic locations were noted as risk loci pertaining to this issue, which means this study identified 33 more than previously identified in previous studies. Those 64 genomes include 161 individual genes where some involve how brain neurons signal each other. This allows targets for biological treatments with specific medication to help treat bipolar disorder.

    Bipolar disorder is a mental illness known for its highs and lows. I truly believe that more research into not just environmental causes but also genetic risks could make someone more susceptible to exhibiting symptoms of this illness. It is interesting to see how they can identify differences in loci that can cause the neurons to not signal properly, but also affect how the medication given to treat it affects our brain. If research can understand biologically how bipolar disorder affects people's brains, we can create more personalized treatments for those who have this disorder.

Sources:

Genomic Data From More Than 41,000 People Shed New Light on Bipolar Disorder. 2021 Sep 29. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2021/genomic-data-from-more-than-41000-people-shed-new-light-on-bipolar-disorder.

Bipolar disorder - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. 2022 Dec 13. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955.

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

Is Anxiety and Depression genetic?

 Anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders are becoming more and more present in the public consciousness, many people suffer from them.  While these disorders may have many situational or environmental causes, but with so many people battling these mental disorders, could it be genetic?  Major depressive disorder (MDD) and neuroticism traits have some genetic susceptibilities. Studies have shown some correlation between polymorphism in the serotonin transporting region (5HTTLPR) and bipolar disorder, suicidal behaviors, and depression-related traits, but nothing yet to show it is responsible for MDD. 

Mental disorders are incredibly complex and multifaceted, so there is no exact answer to whether these disorders are inherited.  However, studies show that there could possibly be genetic factors involved.  Seratonin transmitter mutations have been linked to Bipolar and other similar disorders.  There is still a lot of research that needs to be conducted to determine the exact gene sequences or mutations responsible. 

Links:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322305010139?casa_token=d7j9zXyl1acAAAAA:Z2MhTYwifuZmhDP-OKs7HPvQGu-XmAUng7keAZL41r7h0hHe41RK5vZ1u-voVP6v_FIEY-QJ2Kk

https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/genetic 

New Treatments for Autism

 

    Scientists have found how to manipulate chemicals in the brain to possibly help create treatments for those with autism using mice. Autism causes difficulty making close bonds with friends and family. Friends and family both release separate chemicals in the brain and for someone with autism one of these receptors is disrupted causing an inability to feel this connection. They were able to manipulate the mice so that they valued interactions with a surrogate mother but did not value connections with other mice. According to Healthline.com, Autism occurs in 1 in every 59 births with a 4:1 male to female ratio. I think that this kind of research is great. Some families find it difficult to cope or help their children with autism. Finding treatments like this is a great step for those who deal with mental illness every day.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201029105022.htm

https://www.healthline.com/health/autism

 

 

 

How do genetic differences affect the risks of Bipolar Disorder

A recent study conducted by the Picower Institute of Learning and Memory at MIT could possibly help improve diagnosis and future treatment of Bipolar Disorder for many people. In the article posted by Medical News, Today explains how the study identified and observed genetic differences in a gene called CPG2 which can be tied to an increased risk of developing Bipolar Disorder. The study in no way says that this mutation is the direct cause of Bipolar Disorder but, they found that lower levels of CPG2 were found in patients with this mental disorder. 
I found this article really interesting to read because there is a common misconception/stigma that surrounds mental illness. A lot of people tend to believe that mental illness does not really exist and that it really is just in peoples heads. Especially when it comes to specific disorders such as Bipolar disorder, where it's thought to be mood swings you can't control. However, this finding could help educate people so they can see that it, in fact, has to do with specific genes in your body.

Link Between Genes and PTSD

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170425102817.htm

Post traumatic stress disorder is a mental illness that impacts many around the world. Genetic link has been found between PTSD and schizophrenia, and since schizophrenia is more common in women, this suggests that women are also at greater risk for PTSD. A recent study looked into the genetics of those that have PTSD and those that have lived through traumatic events and not developed the mental illness. They believed that genetic variation was the reason why a person would be resilient to PTSD or be at risk for it. The study focused on about 20000 people from 11 different ethnic backgrounds. The found that 29% of the risk of getting PTSD is contributed to genes. This puts PTSD as one of the most genetically influenced mental illness. Researchers hope by being able to identify a patient's risk for getting PTSD that they can take preventative measures to make sure that they do not experience PTSD. I think that this is going to be very helpful to a lot of people if they are able to determine a person's risk for developing this mental illness. By implementing preventative measures for a person at risk, hopefully the amount of people that live with post-traumatic stress disorder will decrease.

Is there a thin genetic line between happiness and depression?

This article is about how genetics could play a role in mental illness but not in the way you might think. Trying to figure out the genetic and cognitive causes of mental illness' in detail has always been a problem without a solution. It turns out, through comparing different individuals with a common "mental illness gene", They have seen a variety of outcomes depending on their environment. Their final conclusion was that there is no gene that directly correlates to mental illness, in a yes or no manner. On the other hand, there are genes that can affect how susceptible someone is to the stressors in an environment. I believe that this is a good starting point but when handling something as mental illness, that has had several definitions over time, there needs to be a lot of data to make a solid point in either direction.


medicalnewstoday


Mental Illness

Scientists find new genetic roots of Schizophrenia

UCLA scientists have made a major development in understanding the biology of schizophrenia. While analyzing DNA, the scientists found tons of genes and two major biological pathways that are most likely involved in the development of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling mental illness whose symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions and cognitive problems. The illness affects about one percent of Americans. The cause of schizophrenia is not fully understood. Current medications can help reduce the symptoms, but they do not cure the disorder. The study is expected to have an impact beyond schizophrenia research because it shows a general and powerful new strategy for revealing the mechanisms of human disease.

Schizophrenia has been known to be very genetic; it often runs in families. A large genome-wide association study of individuals with schizophrenia, linked the disorder to small DNA variations at more than one hundred different locations on the human genome. Most of those locations lie outside of the actual genes, so their roles in schizophrenia have been unclear. Schizophrenia is a disorder that is known to be abnormal in the cerebral cortex. In the study, the genes linked to schizophrenia include some for brain cell receptors that are activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Variations in the functions of these receptors can help create schizophrenia.

As more studies explain the roles of these genes in schizophrenia, scientists will get a greater understanding of how the disorder develops. I am glad scientists are trying to understand the causes of schizophrenia. Through this, they should eventually be able to develop more effective treatments and be able to alleviate the symptoms from people who are suffering from it.