An international research team at the University of Edinburg just discovered that an inactive gene in patient’s brain might be the cause of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.
The results show that gene ABCA13 plays a crucial role in brain health. More specifically, the gene is responsible for the way fat cells are processed inside the brain, a key element on which further research will be focused.
Lead researcher Douglas Blackwood, professor of Psychiatric Genetics at the University of Edinburgh, said ”this is an exciting step forward in our understanding of the underlying causes of some common mental illnesses.
These risk genes could signpost new directions for treatments.”
Dr Ben Pickard, of the University of Strathclyde, stresses that ”this study is the first to identify multiple points of DNA damage within a single gene that are linked with psychiatric illness. It strongly suggests that this gene may regulate an important part of brain function that fails in individuals diagnosed with these devastating disorders.”
Once again, the importance of DNA analysis show how it will be able to spare many the atrocious pain that comes with severe physical and mental conditions. Genetic analysis and targeted prevention and cure is just proving once again to be the key to a healthy future
