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Gene mutation linked to bipolar disorder
Issue date: 12/4/08
Historically, mood disorders have been blamed upon evil spirits, possession and witchcraft. More modern investigations have looked at environmental causes and childhood experiences. However, more and more evidence shows that genetics play an important role in these disorders, including bipolar disorder.
A large study involving multiple universities across the country, including Hopkins, has uncovered a significant association between a gene for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and bipolar disorder.
American Caucasian families with members affected by bipolar disorder were recruited at 10 research centers throughout the country, including the Hopkins School of Medicine.
A total of 1,749 people from 250 families participated in the study. Affected individuals and their healthy family members were studied.
In the affected group, researchers found 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or differences of just one of the letters that make up the genetic code, in the BDNF gene. The data suggested that several of the SNPs were associated with bipolar disorder in the subject.
"Certain variants in these polymorphisms were passed on from parents to offspring with bipolar disorder more than we would expect by chance alone," Associate Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health Peter Zandi said.
"Such an association is evidence that?variation in?BDNF may be responsible for increasing the risk of bipolar disorder, but it does not prove it."?
Two of the alleles, or variants, that the study focused on were located in a region of the human BDNF gene that is highly conserved among other vertebrates, which suggests that section of the BDNF protein has a significant functional role.
BDNF protein is important in the growth and survival of peripheral and central neurons in adults. It is fairly well-studied and evidence already exists implicating the protein in mood-related disorders, including bipolar disorder. Researchers have studied the impact of BDNF - both the protein and the gene that codes for it - on memory, schizophrenia, obesity, aging and bulimia.
A large study involving multiple universities across the country, including Hopkins, has uncovered a significant association between a gene for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and bipolar disorder.
American Caucasian families with members affected by bipolar disorder were recruited at 10 research centers throughout the country, including the Hopkins School of Medicine.
A total of 1,749 people from 250 families participated in the study. Affected individuals and their healthy family members were studied.
In the affected group, researchers found 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or differences of just one of the letters that make up the genetic code, in the BDNF gene. The data suggested that several of the SNPs were associated with bipolar disorder in the subject.
"Certain variants in these polymorphisms were passed on from parents to offspring with bipolar disorder more than we would expect by chance alone," Associate Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health Peter Zandi said.
"Such an association is evidence that?variation in?BDNF may be responsible for increasing the risk of bipolar disorder, but it does not prove it."?
Two of the alleles, or variants, that the study focused on were located in a region of the human BDNF gene that is highly conserved among other vertebrates, which suggests that section of the BDNF protein has a significant functional role.
BDNF protein is important in the growth and survival of peripheral and central neurons in adults. It is fairly well-studied and evidence already exists implicating the protein in mood-related disorders, including bipolar disorder. Researchers have studied the impact of BDNF - both the protein and the gene that codes for it - on memory, schizophrenia, obesity, aging and bulimia.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Federico Valdivieso
posted 12/05/08 @ 6:00 PM EST
What is this article revealing that hasn't been known since 2002?
Journal article from 2002:
http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v7/n6/abs/4001058a. (Continued…)
Jeane Jaime
posted 12/05/08 @ 11:08 PM EST
My grandsons were diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and were prescribed the drug Ritlin. When the oldest one, Jared, was in his teens, he tried to commit suicide and he was diagnosed as bi-polar and given many different drugs. (Continued…)
Nicole
posted 1/14/09 @ 9:37 PM EST
I have found that i have a gene mutation mthfr that I cannot metabolize folic acid which can lead to bi polar symptoms for the last twelve years I have been on all types of medications out there none that ever helped me I finally found a doctor who truly cared to find the reason behind my symptoms. (Continued…)
microbilogy 1
posted 1/26/09 @ 2:50 AM EST
This is a very great article,
Finding out the polymorphism in neucleotide is great thing to relate the problem,
Keep it up will you write more on this topic. (Continued…)
Anti Wrinkle Creams
posted 3/25/09 @ 1:35 PM EST
Hopefully more awareness will be raised from articles like this one. I hate seeing people get messed up from prescription drugs.
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