krazykitkat (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
krazykitkat) wrote2006-02-26 01:34 am
krazykitkat) wrote2006-02-26 01:34 am
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Gene responsible for depression found
By Claire Weaver and Andrew Chesterton
February 26, 2006
IN a world first, researchers from NSW have discovered the gene responsible for depression.
After 25 years' research, scientists have found that people who carry a particular gene are more likely to suffer depression regardless of their life experiences.
The medical breakthrough will have major ramifications for diagnosis and treatment of the disease which affects one in four Australians.
The study, to be published in the prestigious British Journal of Psychiatry this week, shows that people who carry a short serotonin transporter gene are predisposed to depression.
Conversely, those who carry a long version of the serotonin transporter gene would be more resilient to whatever life throws at them.
Around 43 per cent of the population is believed to carry the short version of the gene.
The breakthrough comes in the wake of a series of recent high-profile cases of depression, including former WA premier Geoff Gallop, the late rugby league legend Steve Rogers and former state opposition leader John Brogden.
Former Australian Olympic swimmer John Konrads and actor Garry McDonald were also sufferers. It is hoped the findings could be used to pre-warn carriers of their susceptibility and take early preventative treatment.
Mr Konrads described the breakthrough as exciting.
"I think it's wonderful to think that people who might have that doubt could confidentially find if they're conducive to depression or not, that would be fantastic," he said.
The serotonin transporter gene, which is responsible for our uptake of "feel good" serotonin and mood control, has been implicated in depression before – but this is the first and most conclusive evidence of its true role.
The Sunday Telegraph
By Claire Weaver and Andrew Chesterton
February 26, 2006
IN a world first, researchers from NSW have discovered the gene responsible for depression.
After 25 years' research, scientists have found that people who carry a particular gene are more likely to suffer depression regardless of their life experiences.
The medical breakthrough will have major ramifications for diagnosis and treatment of the disease which affects one in four Australians.
The study, to be published in the prestigious British Journal of Psychiatry this week, shows that people who carry a short serotonin transporter gene are predisposed to depression.
Conversely, those who carry a long version of the serotonin transporter gene would be more resilient to whatever life throws at them.
Around 43 per cent of the population is believed to carry the short version of the gene.
The breakthrough comes in the wake of a series of recent high-profile cases of depression, including former WA premier Geoff Gallop, the late rugby league legend Steve Rogers and former state opposition leader John Brogden.
Former Australian Olympic swimmer John Konrads and actor Garry McDonald were also sufferers. It is hoped the findings could be used to pre-warn carriers of their susceptibility and take early preventative treatment.
Mr Konrads described the breakthrough as exciting.
"I think it's wonderful to think that people who might have that doubt could confidentially find if they're conducive to depression or not, that would be fantastic," he said.
The serotonin transporter gene, which is responsible for our uptake of "feel good" serotonin and mood control, has been implicated in depression before – but this is the first and most conclusive evidence of its true role.
The Sunday Telegraph
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Although, I'm not sure that warning people they're susceptible to depression is a good thing. Isn't that likely to depress them? And make them worry?
I'm not being fascicious here, I'm quite serious
Still, it has great potential for the treatment of depression. Wow.
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Possibly, I'm not quite sure, I can tell you that being diagnosed with SAD helped me, not hindered, it was so much easier when I understood why, maybe it would be advantageous for a person prone to depression to know that there are going to be times when for no real reason they are going to feel bad and there is help available for them.
So how do we get tested for it?
I'd imagine a blood test will be developed. that is how they usuaally test for genetic markers.
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It's pretty amazing, though it's a big proportion of the population.
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