Depression gene found

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

[oxcart]

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 43per 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.

[oxcart]

If the truth be known, St. John's Wort works like antidepressants do...by inhibition of the Tryptophan Pyrrolase (oxygenase) pathway. (see Badawy A.A. on medline)

[DallasMike]

There is not a depression in the world that cannot be relieved by expressing the withheld anger.

Clinical depression is a disease of the brain, just like Parkinson's or epilepsy. Someone who is severely depressed can't heal themselves by positive thinking any more than Ronald Reagan could have healed his Parkinson's by positive thinking. Yes, we can choose how we respond to things but there is a certain point beyond which positive thinking will not go.

Here's a post on my blogsite that you might find interesting. It concerns a person I grew up with who developed schizophrenia in her early 20s.

Stingray:  Conservative Christian News and Commentary

[Flavius Josephus]

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,

Count your blessings that you've got a wife and kids. I haven't been able to get that.

I know what you mean about not being a quitter. It actually was a huge breakthrough when I decided only the Lord would decide how long I live, and stopped toying with the idea of suicide.

God bless you.

[najida]

Thank you!

I've always believed it was genetic in my family....for generations. No surprise here.

Sadly, it seems the depressed, short serotonins always marry the "What's wrong with you! Think happy thoughts!" long serotonins.

ACK!

[Iris7]

Thinking of your "predestination" and "personal responsibility" statements makes me recall a mystical experience. I saw clearly that believing predestination and free will are either/or is an artifact of our "seeing as through a glass, darkly" as the Apostle put it.

As is wisely said, all things are possible with God - even total individual freedom of action and God's knowledge of all you are and all that you do from birth to death and beyond. He knew you before the beginning of time and will know you after the end of time. He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega, and infinitely more.

Also you may be bipolar. Suggest you consider this possibility. Recurrent and long term depression are typical. Lamatrogine and carbamazepine and other anticonvulvsives can be a miracle, I mean that literally, as in "What hath God wrought?"

[najida]

St. Johns wart words well in mild to moderate depression, but those with severe and chronic depression, stronger meds/therapies are needed.

[oxcart]

Excellent article on your blog. Correction; RR had Alzheimer's not Parkinson's.

[technochick99]

For your ping list

[DallasMike]

My hero Churchill suffered from the 'black dog'.

Yes, he did, as did Abraham Lincoln. You can do a Google on "bipolar" and "genius" and find study after study showing how many great artists, composers, authors, and leaders have suffered from bipolar or unipolar depression or schizophrenia. Virtually all of the greats from Brian Wilson to Beethoven to Tolstoy to Isaac Newton to Van Gogh to Michelangelo to Charles Dickens battled with at least one of these diseases.

[freedumb2003]

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

The problem that you have to deal with is the massive number of people who hide behind diagnoses of "depression" when in fact they are the problem.

So it looks like doggone near everyone has a pathology that gets used in place of personal responsibility. THat ends up muddying the waters to where people view a claim of "clinical depression" with deep cynicism and skepticism. I mean, DU has entire threads devoted to the drugs they take (ignoring their other threads about Evil Rx Companies).

People should know that cases like yours are examples of brain chemistry problems, like so many other illnesses. But as long as lazy or agenda-driven doctors keep writing off all behavioural problems as being medical, depression and similar types of diseases will be viewed with suspicion.

But, for what it is worth, I know it isn't your fault.

[vimto]

Ah friend, I do count my blessings indeed.

Then again the Lord knows what's right for each one of us. He works this all out in His own way.

Keep on keeping on.

God bless indeed.

[najida]

I've read some really good reports on Lamictal and Borderline Personality Disorder/Depression. It seems to be a wonder drug for some folks!

[DallasMike]

Thanks you and thank you for the correction. Reagan had Alzheimer's, not Parkinson's disease.

[GOP_Raider]

Meet Gene.

I thought this was Gene:

[Melas]

Another way to sell pills. Flame suit on, but I believe that depression is a largely made up disease.

[Iris7]

Again, may I suggest bipolar disorder. I am convinced by experience that bipolar disorder is as metabolic as epilepsy.

[R_Kangel]

This whole study depresses me.

[vimto]

Ah, the problem of human nature is the bondage of the bondage of the will. We want what isn't good for us. Only grace breaks that bondage into freedom.

Spurgeon used to say that predestination and free will were two pillars that only formed an arch in heaven. Nice thought - your spiritual experience has that ring to it.

thanks indeed for the encouragement,

[Melas]

I never knew which song I found more truth in: Here Comes Your 19th Nervous Breakdown or Mother's Little Helper. Both of them were great social commentary.

Likewise, it's damned near chic to be depressed these days. This won't win me any friends, but it's pretty damned observable that retiring wallflowers without a social network tend to be the depressed bunch. People who like people and socialize, tend not to be depressed.

[DallasMike]

I am convinced by experience that bipolar disorder is as metabolic as epilepsy.

Not only that, but most meds that work for one work for the other. Many now believe that bipolar may be seizures which are going undetected.