Depression gene found

News.com.au ^ | 02/26/2006 | By Clair Weaver and Andrew Chesterton

[oxcart]

A real breakthrough or another way to sell pills?

[martin_fierro]

Meet Gene.

[Publius6961]

A real breakthrough or another way to sell pills?

One does not exclude the other; and for people who need the therapy it could be a lifesaver.

[Crazieman]

Who knows. I can guaruntee I have a crummy gene for this. I spend a great deal of effort being not depressed. Let alone happy.

[not-alone]

interesting

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

This is good info for those of us who have always realized it runs in families. Finally nice to have some proof to work with.

[DannyTN]

So how I can I make sure my next wife doesn't have this gene?

[oxcart]

Try exercise (running), its the only thing that keeps me sane.

[vimto]

I suffer from depression - strong family history. I get on with life the best I can - I've got a supportive wife and kids. But I feel like crap virtually every day. If I could go home to be with the Lord I would, but I'm no quitter,

If this is truish, it will be one in the eye for all those who tell me it's somehow my own fault.

We'll wait and see

[oxcart]

Yes, I always knew that serotonin/tryptophan played an important role in depression. I worked in a health food store and the people that took L-Tryptophan swore by it.

[seastay]

So there is a device that can measure depression ?

Seems like a discovery of an invention like that would be more news than a gene, since there is nothing people can do to change there genes but think of what could be done with a depression measuring machine?

For example, hook it up to the spouse, install them in restaurants, movie theaters, the possibilities where satisfaction needs to be benchmarked are endless!

[butternut_squash_bisque]

"...affects one in four Australians..."

Wow, isn't 25% of the population, a pretty high number?

[vimto]

L-tryptophan - is it availalbe in the UK as an over the counter...? I seem to remember that it was used in Psychiatry years ago for depression but it was only available on prescription.

I take venlafaxine \ effexor.

[vimto]

L-tryptophan - is it availalbe in the UK as an over the counter...? I seem to remember that it was used in Psychiatry years ago for depression but it was only available on prescription.

I take venlafaxine \ effexor.

[oxcart]

Hang in there, I still battle with it also. The good Lord, exercise and a little L-Tryptophan keep me sane.

[oxcart]

Hang in there, I still battle with it also. The good Lord, exercise and a little L-Tryptophan keep me sane.

[TheForceOfOne]

Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old

[Arrowhead1952]

Depression gene found in dumbocRATs after 2000 and 2004 elections!!

[digger48]

This news is depressing

[VeritatisSplendor]

There was a problem with a bad batch of L-tryptophan that killed half a dozen people - not available in the US any more (except by prescription I think). I tried 5-HTP, another serotonin precursor, but that made me feel worse.

Mrs VS