Similar gene activity unites various mental disorders
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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A similar genetic pattern is found immediately with several mental disorders: in a depressed state, autism, manic-depressive psychosis and schizophrenia.
In patients suffering from neuropsychiatric problems, the function of the brain is broken - first of all, there are changes at the level of nerve cells, and also at the molecular level.
However, cell-molecular disturbances do not appear on a flat surface. For example, one of the genes stops working, or, on the contrary, it is too active. As a consequence, very strong synapses are formed in the nerve cell, or, conversely, weakened, this has a direct effect on the processes of perception, on the emotional sphere and cognitive ability.
The scientists set out to determine the genetic changes that affect the development of individual mental pathologies. During the research it became clear that such pathologies have much in common in terms of the genetic picture.
How is this manifested? Heredity information is first transferred from DNA to RNA. There is a synthesis of RNA molecules, on which protein molecules are subsequently produced (so-called transcription and translation). With adequate gene activity, RNA is produced a lot, and if it is impaired, it is not enough.
Scientists representing the University of California, Los Angeles, compared the genetic activity in seven hundred samples of the cerebral cortex isolated from patients with life-threatening pathologies such as autism, schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, depressive states and alcoholism. In addition, samples from healthy individuals were also examined.
Gene activity was estimated by RNA. It turned out that the above mentioned diseases have much in common. The similarity in the work of genes was found in schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis, with schizophrenia and autism. General changes related to genes that control the excitation of nerve cells, as well as their ability to create and transmit electrochemical impulses.
But: each pathology has its own characteristics, which make it possible to distinguish between diseases in practice. Paradoxically, with a similar genetic pattern, completely different clinical signs arise.
By the way, the gene activity for alcoholism was different and did not have the above mentioned similarities. The information obtained during the research will probably allow us to think about the creation of new effective methods of therapy of psychopathologies in the future. However, one issue still remains unresolved: why is there such a cardinal difference in the clinical manifestations of these diseases? Some experts suggest that it is necessary to continue research and evaluate gene activity not in the cortex as a whole, but in isolated groups of nerve cells, or even directly in the cells themselves. Perhaps, on a deeper level, there are any significant differences that lead to a mismatch in the clinical picture.
The article about the research is published on the pages of Science.
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