Z! Big News, man!Scientists Say Flawed Gene That Causes Bipolar Disorder Identified

SlowwHand · June 16, 2003, 10:18

Keep the faith. There's always hope.

By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science Writer

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

Urban Ranger · June 16, 2003, 10:48

Why are you so mean to downtrodden Zylka, Sloww?

SlowwHand · June 16, 2003, 10:56

I'm not. This is very good news.

Zylka · July 2, 2003, 02:52

I don't get it

Manic depression is to be focused, for the further advancement of society. Well at least type 2 is. Every train of thought destined to become convential wisdom was promoted by HYPO MANIA and prolonged depression!!!

Zylka · July 2, 2003, 02:58

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

Now oversensitivity to pleasure messages and identified hyper symbolism are indeed beneficial to humans. This gene defect, is indeed a true mutation worthy of significant evolution!

Cruddy · July 2, 2003, 03:31

Whoppee! Now we can eradicate all the people of genius and creativity, and all be a bunch of stagnating sheep!

Hooray for science!

alva · July 2, 2003, 04:13

Yep, only Delta's from now on...

Ecthy · July 2, 2003, 05:22

what is bipolar disorder?

is it what we have?

Cruddy · July 2, 2003, 05:28

Trendy new name for old school "Manic Depressive".

Up one minute, down the next.

Heard of that? Same difference.

Ecthy · July 2, 2003, 05:31

oh... we know about it, yes, yes...

Eli · July 2, 2003, 05:37

Those silly genes stick their noses into every possible hole.

Ecthy · July 2, 2003, 05:45

I hope you haven't made too much experience with things stuck in every possible hole

Zylka · July 2, 2003, 15:26

Quote:

Originally posted by alva
Yep, only Delta's from now on...

EXACTLY! Yet approaching even further... should scientific study not begin to consider inducing hypo bi-polar tendencies in the general population for further human advancement? Or will there be a sudden oversaturation of Alpha's with even the slightest upgrade?

Kuciwalker · July 2, 2003, 15:33

Deltas and Alphas... are you making references to Brave New World?

Anyway, manic-depressives do NOT make up the whole of hyper-creative people, nor even a significant amount. And they are dangers to themselves and others.

Zylka · July 2, 2003, 15:35

Quote:

Originally posted by skywalker
Deltas and Alphas... are you making references to Brave New World?

Anyway, manic-depressives do NOT make up the whole of hyper-creative people, nor even a significant amount. And they are dangers to themselves and others.

They actually do make up a per capita amount; let alone the majority.

Have you ever masturbated to princess Lea? Just checking... you see, your handle is just too cool!