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18/07/2003
Depression lies in our DNA, scientists claim in new study
Scientists have claimed that depression could lie in our DNA, after a study is published suggesting that people with a specific version of a gene are afforded greater protection against the illness.
The gene – known as 5-TTT – is involved in the regulation of serotonin, a chemical which assists communication between brain cells. The gene comes in two versions, known as long and short, and everyone inherits two copies of the gene.
Researchers followed a group of 847 people from New Zealand over the first thirty years of their life, identifying what versions of the gene they possessed and recording what stressful events the individuals experienced and their subsequent reactions to those events.
Of the 265 people who inherited two short versions of the gene, 43% of them developed symptoms of depression following stressful events, while only 17% of those possessing two long copies of the gene reported being affected by the illness.
Researchers have suggested that the study provides a basis for the development of a genetic test for depression - which could see those with a genetic susceptibility targeted with medication or therapy as a preventative measure.
Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of mental health charity, SANE, said: "What this study shows is the importance of finding who may be particularly susceptible to the damaging combination of genetic vulnerability to depression and stressful life events, so that depressive breakdown might eventually be prevented."
(CL)
The gene – known as 5-TTT – is involved in the regulation of serotonin, a chemical which assists communication between brain cells. The gene comes in two versions, known as long and short, and everyone inherits two copies of the gene.
Researchers followed a group of 847 people from New Zealand over the first thirty years of their life, identifying what versions of the gene they possessed and recording what stressful events the individuals experienced and their subsequent reactions to those events.
Of the 265 people who inherited two short versions of the gene, 43% of them developed symptoms of depression following stressful events, while only 17% of those possessing two long copies of the gene reported being affected by the illness.
Researchers have suggested that the study provides a basis for the development of a genetic test for depression - which could see those with a genetic susceptibility targeted with medication or therapy as a preventative measure.
Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of mental health charity, SANE, said: "What this study shows is the importance of finding who may be particularly susceptible to the damaging combination of genetic vulnerability to depression and stressful life events, so that depressive breakdown might eventually be prevented."
(CL)
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10 July 2009
Gene Defect Linked To Allergy, BMJ Finds
Defects in a particular gene - the filaggrin gene - are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing allergic disorders such as eczema, rhinitis, and asthma, concludes a study published on bmj.com today. Allergic diseases have increased in recent decades and now affect up to one in three children in economically developed countries.
Gene Defect Linked To Allergy, BMJ Finds
Defects in a particular gene - the filaggrin gene - are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing allergic disorders such as eczema, rhinitis, and asthma, concludes a study published on bmj.com today. Allergic diseases have increased in recent decades and now affect up to one in three children in economically developed countries.
24 June 2003
£50m funding unveiled for NHS gene research
The government is set to promote the development of genetics within the NHS following its decision to plough £50 million into the scheme over the next three years. The White Paper 'Our Inheritance, Our Future - Realising the potential of genetics in the NHS' sets out the government's strategy.
£50m funding unveiled for NHS gene research
The government is set to promote the development of genetics within the NHS following its decision to plough £50 million into the scheme over the next three years. The White Paper 'Our Inheritance, Our Future - Realising the potential of genetics in the NHS' sets out the government's strategy.
02 August 2004
Gene therapy trial for cancer patients gets green light
The green light has been given for a large clinical trial of a new gene therapy treatment for patients with Glioma - one of the most aggressive types of brain tumours for which there is currently no cure. The new gene therapy treatment involves injecting Herpes simplex virus into the brain tumours of Glioma patients.
Gene therapy trial for cancer patients gets green light
The green light has been given for a large clinical trial of a new gene therapy treatment for patients with Glioma - one of the most aggressive types of brain tumours for which there is currently no cure. The new gene therapy treatment involves injecting Herpes simplex virus into the brain tumours of Glioma patients.
16 August 2004
London's profit-making events to be charged policing costs
Organisers of all profit-making events in London will be pursued for the full policing costs, including overtime, the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has announced today. However, under current regulations, football clubs remain exempt for the "huge cost of policing" outside their grounds on match days.
London's profit-making events to be charged policing costs
Organisers of all profit-making events in London will be pursued for the full policing costs, including overtime, the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has announced today. However, under current regulations, football clubs remain exempt for the "huge cost of policing" outside their grounds on match days.
29 March 2004
Research in genetic disorders gets £4m funding boost
The government has said that it will plough £3 million into clinical trials and research into the genetic disorders of haemophilia, muscular dystrophy and childhood blindness. A further £1 million will be used to support research into the long-term safety of some techniques used in gene therapy, the Health Secretary John Reid said today.
Research in genetic disorders gets £4m funding boost
The government has said that it will plough £3 million into clinical trials and research into the genetic disorders of haemophilia, muscular dystrophy and childhood blindness. A further £1 million will be used to support research into the long-term safety of some techniques used in gene therapy, the Health Secretary John Reid said today.
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