Connecting The Dots Between Genes and Bipolar Disorder
Recent research has definitively connected the presence of bipolar disorder to two genes - ANK3 and CCACNA1C.
One thing that the research highlights is that even though we all possess both the ANK3 and CACNA1C genes, people who have bipolar disorder were more likely to have variants of these genes.
The important phrase used in the research report is the term "more likely.
" This means that even some of the people without bipolar disorder had variants in their ANK3 and CACNA1C genes as well.
So, apparently, even though the gene variances do seem to be an important indicator, there must be some additional factor as well which scientists have yet to discover.
Probably a good place to start would be in looking at twins.
Scientists already know that, in the case of identical twins, one could be bipolar and the other normal.
Most of these studies, however, were done before the specific genes that cause bipolar were discovered.
But now that we know the exact genes involved, it seems that the next step would be to look at identical twins and determine if they all have variants in their ANK3 and CACNA1C genes.
Whatever the finding, it would be the next great step in helping to determine the importance of these variances and in illustrating the exact role that they play.
When people have bipolar disorder episodes, they continually bounce back between high levels of giddiness and hyper-activity, followed by short or long periods of depression, and followed by those high levels of hyper-activity again.
Gene research is important in being able to potentially come up with therapies that can act directly on these genes and therefore help to modify the behavior.
There are current drugs on the market today that do help to alleviate some of the mood swings of the disease.
But most were developed before researchers knew much about the specific genes involved in the disease.
Now that we know these genes, hopefully better drug treatments can be devised.
Currently, the most popular drug prescribed for the disease is Lithium which, in many people, causes a number of unwanted side effects such as weight gain and trembling.
Hopefully, the discovery of these two bipolar genes can help to develop better drug treatments.
Knowing the genes and chemical reactions that occur in the brains of bipolar patients can help immensely in helping to discover appropriate medications for manic depression treatment.
To date, this study has been the largest one to focus on the genetic analysis of bipolar disorder.
Hopefully, its success will lead to funding for other brain diseases as well.
One thing that the research highlights is that even though we all possess both the ANK3 and CACNA1C genes, people who have bipolar disorder were more likely to have variants of these genes.
The important phrase used in the research report is the term "more likely.
" This means that even some of the people without bipolar disorder had variants in their ANK3 and CACNA1C genes as well.
So, apparently, even though the gene variances do seem to be an important indicator, there must be some additional factor as well which scientists have yet to discover.
Probably a good place to start would be in looking at twins.
Scientists already know that, in the case of identical twins, one could be bipolar and the other normal.
Most of these studies, however, were done before the specific genes that cause bipolar were discovered.
But now that we know the exact genes involved, it seems that the next step would be to look at identical twins and determine if they all have variants in their ANK3 and CACNA1C genes.
Whatever the finding, it would be the next great step in helping to determine the importance of these variances and in illustrating the exact role that they play.
When people have bipolar disorder episodes, they continually bounce back between high levels of giddiness and hyper-activity, followed by short or long periods of depression, and followed by those high levels of hyper-activity again.
Gene research is important in being able to potentially come up with therapies that can act directly on these genes and therefore help to modify the behavior.
There are current drugs on the market today that do help to alleviate some of the mood swings of the disease.
But most were developed before researchers knew much about the specific genes involved in the disease.
Now that we know these genes, hopefully better drug treatments can be devised.
Currently, the most popular drug prescribed for the disease is Lithium which, in many people, causes a number of unwanted side effects such as weight gain and trembling.
Hopefully, the discovery of these two bipolar genes can help to develop better drug treatments.
Knowing the genes and chemical reactions that occur in the brains of bipolar patients can help immensely in helping to discover appropriate medications for manic depression treatment.
To date, this study has been the largest one to focus on the genetic analysis of bipolar disorder.
Hopefully, its success will lead to funding for other brain diseases as well.
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