Posted on 02/25/2006 8:22:24 AM PST by 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.
"Living in my head" is very very bad for me - and I was raised to value the intellectual life above all. Having babies was the healthiest thing I ever did. All that cuddling, romping - and there's nothing like changing a diaper or cleaning vomit off the floor to "get me out of my head."
I still enjoy using my brain but learning to think with my hands and my body has been invaluable - gardening, remodelling the house, bird-watching.
When I take up a career after the children are big enough, it's got to involve more than my head.
Mrs VS
jefferson and lincoln also.
Thank you.
"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."
You might like this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1288437/posts
you are probably right about there being more than one gene. there could be another article next week about the discovery of a gene affecting dopamine that plays a role in depression.
Glad you are doing better, but be real careful about a manic reaction. It's a fine line...
Things like Zoloft or Prozac and 5-HTP together can do that also.
Exercise is great for some but severely clinically depressed patients might not be able to do much of it, same for holding a job. Lots of degrees of depression. We used to see catatonic reactions, which were some of the most severe, involving even muscle rigidity.
Glad to hear you are doing well. I have had my bouts in life also.
If your interested in mental health this book is the best forty bucks I ever spent;
http://www.hopepress.com/html/tourette_syndrome_and_human_be.html
Don't shy away from the title (worst named book in history) it is a fascinating read.
Hell hun,
I'm short....
From generations of shorts!
I'm fine honest - we all live with something. Thanks for the post appreciated.
i think depression is vastly under-diagnosed. sure, there are probably some people who are not depressed who get the diagnosis, but the opposite problem is much more frequent and much more serious.
most people who have depression or bipolar disorder never get treated.
you can go on medscape and read studies about this.
the popular press is often not accurate when it comes to things like depression and medication.
LOL, funny thread, thanks.
Except that I didn't post that comment, Mike.
I've met a few. Most of them should be taking the drugs they prescribe to others.
Thank you, Doctor Glenn!
i think it's the latter. however, depressed people will be attracted to threads on depression.
there is also a real danger when people with bipolar disorder are diagnosed as having (unipolar) depression, and are then put on an anti-depressant instead of on a mood stabilizer.
the anti-depressant can trigger a manic episode, and then all sorts of unfortunate things can happen.
You're welcome. Really.
i think you made the more rational choice!
anyone who doesn't understand that just doesn't know much about life yet.
not getting treatment for depression is as sensible as not getting treatment for diabetes or parkinson's disease.
This should work wonders for a great many people. Great news.
Whoops! That post was meant to be a response to Melas. Sorry.
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