Genes blamed for depression
@sirensanssmile (3764)
Netherlands
November 7, 2006 8:01pm CST
Scientists find that a gene variant linked with mental illness is also linked with enlargement of a brain region that handles negative emotions.
Researchers found the region of the brain called the pulvinar is larger and contains more nerve cells in those carrying this gene. There are two varients of this gene short and long (SERT-s & SERT-l) People who have two SERT-s are more likely to experience depression than people who have only one or none.
I didn't find any mention of what they were going to do with this finding, only that they say that medications already being used are effective in treating depression.
Only thing is now you can look to your parents for bequething you this gene.
2 people like this
6 responses
@bhbirdie6 (1765)
• United States
5 Dec 06
I wonder at what point genes are going to be blamed for everything. I certainly do think depression is hereditary but I don't think everything is. I definitely think that environment has a lot to do with the way you respond to things. If your parents were depressed it's likely that you have learned that as a way to deal with stress or hard times. It may also be a learned behavior as well as genetically influenced.
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
6 Dec 06
I agree that people can take after their parents because of what they were shown of them at a young age. However, my mother has suffered off and on with it and I have never been depressed. My family is not a good example though as both my brother and I are night and day and neither of us is like our parents.... heh
I have seen what you say in action though. Children do tend to emulate their parents, good or bad. :)
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
16 Jan 07
I can't find anywhere in the news that they were going to use this information to hlp or do anything about it yet. Maybe after more studies they will try to incorporate it into treatment. Hopefully.
@dnatureofdtrain (5273)
• Janesville, Wisconsin
5 Dec 06
Genes are the cause of certain types of depression, there are also heridatary illnesses that create depression.... like dibetis, and fibro, and certain deficiencies, that are inherited.
My family has SAD... Seasonal Affectiveness disroder my biological sister and I do.... I believe my mother had it as well.. We need more sunlight then most do... To function normally...
Genes are a big part of it. But Diet, Exercises, Situations, and cognitive thought patterns, post traumatic stress are also major causes as well.
Yes, Depression is definately inherited by many, but it is also formed out of many other situations that are not always genes.
Take care,
- DNatureofDTrain
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
6 Dec 06
I agree with you completely. The study I was paraphrasing did not go into details about other heredity reasons that can cause depression. I think that it is true that inheriting a disease like diabetis or fibro it can definatly bring about depression because they are not easy diseases to deal with.
@clashing_titan (557)
• India
5 Dec 06
depression might be blamed on genes but more than that its the lifestyle of an individual that makes it happen
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
16 Mar 07
I find that interesting. I have seen and have known that some forms of mental illness as well as other conditions can run in families. I also know that some depression can be caused by other reasons, situational, illnesses, stress etc. However those that battle depression all their lives then I think that relates to what you were discussing with genes and the brain areas. For those this information might help in the treatment of them.
