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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shar on June 16, 2003, at 10:35:26
Does anyone have comments about the AP report on finding a gene linked to BP, and will this maybe help regular old unipolars/dysthymics like me with respect to treatment? Shar
Scientists Say They ID Depression Gene
June 16, 2003 04:32 AM EDT
Scientists say they've identified a flawed gene that appears to promote manic-depression, or bipolar disorder, a finding that could eventually help guide scientists to new treatments.
A particular variant of the gene was associated with only about 3 percent of cases in a study, but researchers said other variants might be involved with more.
Follow-up research might help reveal the mysterious underlying biology that makes some people susceptible to the disorder, and so help scientists devise new treatments, said the study's senior author, Dr. John Kelsoe of the University of California, San Diego.
The work is reported in Monday's issue of the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
Previous studies have suggested that other genes are involved in manic-depression. But one expert, Dr. Melvin McInnis of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said in an interview that he thinks Kelsoe's new work and another recent study provide the strongest evidence for involvement of particular genes in the disease.
Manic-depression, which affects about 2.3 million American adults, involves episodes of depression and mania, states of abnormally high mood or irritability.
While effective treatment is available, scientists would like to find better medications.
Genetics clearly play a role. Kelsoe's work focused on a gene called GRK3, which influences the brain's sensitivity to chemical messages brain cells send each other. Defects in the gene might promote manic-depression by making people oversensitive to these messages, which are carried by dopamine and other substances, he said.
Kelsoe and colleagues found statistical evidence tying a particular variant of the GRK3 gene to the disease. They tracked the inheritance of this variant from parent to child in families with a history of bipolar disorder. Overall, the variant was passed along more often than one would expect by chance to a child who later developed the disease.
That suggests the variant promotes susceptibility to bipolar disorder.
The association between the variant gene and the disorder appeared in one group of 153 families and a second group of 275 families. That association is only statistical, and Kelsoe said researchers now are looking for biological evidence that this variant of the gene acts abnormally.
In any case, Kelsoe said other investigators will need to confirm his study's finding in other families to build the case that GRK3 is truly related to manic-depression.
"It's likely only one of many genes involved in the disease," Kelsoe said. "Who knows how many such genes there are? It's likely in the dozens."
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On the Net:
National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolarmenu.cfm
Posted by shar on June 18, 2003, at 19:24:20
In reply to GRK3--Gene linked to BP, posted by shar on June 16, 2003, at 10:35:26
Shar--wow, you are up-to-date and astute. See the thread above for more information.
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Oh, no. A lone post. Is there no love on the meds board anymore?
Yes, I know there is another thread on the topic, but is that all we are? Threads, meds, IQ, data, facts, conclusions, speculations, and side effects?? Oh, dear. The terrible loss of humanity!
Yes, I'm partly kidding. But, only partly. If I was a newbie, it'd run me off (which I know would be fine with some folks, but ain't the point).
I'm done now. I'll have to check PB for lone posts every now and then.
Shar
Posted by SLS on June 18, 2003, at 19:29:49
In reply to Re: GRK3--Gene linked to BP » shar, posted by shar on June 18, 2003, at 19:24:20
Hi, Shar!
:-)
Posted by shar on June 18, 2003, at 23:30:27
In reply to Re: GRK3--Gene linked to BP » shar, posted by SLS on June 18, 2003, at 19:29:49
This is the end of the thread.
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