HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Pitt researchers find genes for depression; Play role in mood disorders, shorter lifespan

PITTSBURGH, July 2 Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have completed the first survey of the entire human genome for genes that affect the susceptibility of individuals to developing clinical depression.

George S. Zubenko, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and adjunct professor of biological sciences at Carnegie Mellon University and his team have located a number of chromosomal regions they say hold the genetic keys to a variety of mental illnesses, including major depression and certain addictions. The survey was done in 81 families identified by individuals with recurrent, early-onset, major depressive disorder (RE-MDD), a severe form of depression that runs in families. The Pitt team's findings are published today in the American Journal of Medical Genetics.

Finding the genetic roots of depression is important for many reasons. Depression is the second-leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting nearly 10 percent of the population. And while scientists have made significant progress developing new drugs to treat it, studies that identify specific risk genes may lead to even more effective drugs designed to target depression in specific individuals.

Twin studies have demonstrated that genetic factors typically account for 40 to 70 percent of the risk for developing major depression, but finding those genes has proven to be a challenge because, as in most diseases, there are likely numerous genes involved and only individuals with certain combinations of those genes develop the disorder.

Of equal interest is a secondary finding that longevity in the families who carry these genes is significantly reduced.

The survey revealed 19 loci small regions on chromosomes where genes reside that appear to influence susceptibility to depressive disorders. The results extended the investigators' previous finding that a small region of chromosome 2q containing the
'"/>

Contact: Craig Dunhoff
412-647-3555
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2-Jul-2003


Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Belgian researchers explore revolutionary approach to angiogenesis
2. Award winning researchers reveal potential new role for Glivec
3. $7.5 Million grant to Yale researchers for role of viruses in cancer
4. New anti-inflammatory strategy for cancer therapy identified by UCSD researchers
5. Joslin researchers clarify mechanisms for beta-cell formation
6. Virginia Tech researchers to release findings on Smith River Project
7. Molecular motor myosin VI moves hand over hand, researchers say
8. ASU researchers demonstrate new technique that improves the power of atomic force micrscopy
9. Emory researchers map structure of anti-cancer molecule
10. Leukemia stem cells identified by Stanford researchers
11. EURYI Award given for the first time to 25 young European researchers

Post Your Comments:
(Date:6/17/2013)... and a major cause is a deadly fungus thought ... shows they can also die from this pathogen, contrary ... that just spreads the disease. , When researchers raised ... found at least one strain of this pathogen, ... fungus, can be fatal to year-old juveniles. However, bullfrogs ...
(Date:6/16/2013)... programs for female sex workers in India reduce rates ... a University of Toronto study has found. ... mostly in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, ... Prabhat Jha from U of T,s Dalla Lana School ... Global Health Research (CGHR), examined the impact of prevention ...
(Date:6/16/2013)... A "cold snap" 116 million years ago triggered a ... past as a result of global warming, according to ... international study involving experts from the universities of Newcastle, ... global cooling and a crash in the marine ecosystem ... quantifies for the first time the amplitude and duration ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Bullfrogs may help spread deadly amphibian fungus, but also die from it 2HIV prevention among female sex workers in India reduces HIV and syphilis 2Global cooling as significant as global warming 2
(Date:6/18/2013)... (PRWEB) June 18, 2013 ActiGraph, a ... solutions for the global research community, announced today that ... Board. Dr. Matsudo is the Scientific Director of the ... (CELAFISCS), a Professor of Medicine at Gama Filho University ... organized by the State Secretariat of Health of São ...
(Date:6/18/2013)... June 18, 2013 Kitware , ... announces a new Fast-Track award from the U.S. Department ... environment (IDAE) for the nuclear power industry. , Construction ... more than 30 years, but the United States’ nuclear ... gains in power plant utilization through improved refueling, maintenance, ...
(Date:6/17/2013)... As a leader in the skincare industry, the team ... for acne, rosacea, and eczema. As part of Acne and ... Rosacea Society) has dedicated a month to creating awareness about ... on treatment options. Probiotic Action follows in the footsteps of ... via social networks and online resources for the acne and ...
(Date:6/17/2013)... and BOSTON , June 17, ... is set to reach $127 billion by 2018, accounting for ... the recently released Orphan Drug Report 2013 from ... clients, needs in regard to this growing segment of the ... product database to include in-depth, fact-based orphan drug analysis with ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Dr. Victor KR Matsudo Joins ActiGraph Scientific Advisory Board 2Kitware to Develop an Open-Source HPC Design-Analysis Environment for Nuclear Energy Research 2Acne and Rosacea Awareness Month: Probiotic Action Announces their Daily News Updates with Insight on the Most Common Skin Conditions 2Evaluate Launches Enhanced Orphan Drug Intelligence 2Evaluate Launches Enhanced Orphan Drug Intelligence 3
Cached News: