Genetic basis of mental health disorders: Welcome to ABP Live’s health column, “The Science of Health.” Last time, we discussed what triggers migraine attacks, their types and stages, and how to treat these excruciating and debilitating headaches. This week we explore whether there is a genetic basis for mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. I will explain.
According to a July 2023 study published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science, about 15 percent of India’s population suffers from some form of mental health disorder. These mental health illnesses include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse disorders, and more.
Genetic basis behind mental health disorders
Understanding the interplay between genetic factors, brain chemistry, personal experience, and social context is critical to managing mental health disorders.
depression and anxiety
The chance of inheriting major depression is 40 to 50 percent, but the chance of severe depression is higher. According to Stanford Medicine, approximately 50% of depression is caused by genetics.
The average person has a 20% to 30% risk of developing depression, but people who have a parent or sibling with or have had major depression have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing depression. It will be expensive.
On the other hand, if a parent or sibling has had multiple bouts of depression (a condition known as recurrent depression) and the depression started relatively early in life, that person’s children or siblings may experience recurrent depression. The risk of developing depression is four to five times higher. Sick compared to normal people.
No one simply inherits depression, but certain combinations of genes may predispose people to depression.
“Research findings highlight the correlation between genetics and susceptibility to mental health disorders. For example, mutations in genes such as COMT and SLC6A4 are associated with an increased likelihood of developing schizophrenia and depression, respectively. In addition, research has found that the serotonin transporter gene and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene potentially contribute to the development of depression. “It’s important to recognize that just because you have a predisposition to something, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will develop,” says John, a psychiatrist and online expert who helps patients with chronic mental illnesses prevent relapse. said Dr. Gorav Gupta, co-founder of the Emmonies platform. He told ABP Live that he has health issues.
Similarly, certain genetic changes may increase predisposition to anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia.
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Bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder
Bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that causes extreme changes in mood, energy, and behavior, is one of the most heritable mental illnesses. This disease is more likely to occur if a parent or sibling has this disease or another mental illness, such as depression or schizophrenia.
A rare copy number variation on chromosome 16p11.2 is associated with increased risk of bipolar disorder, according to a March 2020 study published in Molecular Psychiatry. be.
“Genetic estimates of the proportion of risk due to genetic factors show that anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a significant genetic component. For example, major depressive disorder has a 40% heritability and is linked to genes that regulate mood and stress responses. About 60 to 80 percent of cases of bipolar disorder are inherited and are linked to neural transmission. Genes that influence physical systems and circadian rhythm regulation may be involved,” said Dr Manisha Singhal, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Metro Hospital, Noida.
Genetic variations in dopamine transporters may increase susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health disorder that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
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borderline personality disorder
The heritability of borderline personality disorder is about 40 percent, according to a March 2014 review paper published in Neuroscience & Behavioral Reviews.
People with borderline personality disorder experience long-term patterns of unstable or unstable emotions, resulting in impulsive behavior, chaotic relationships with others, and feelings of abandonment. They have strong fears, feel empty and bored, and substance abuse makes them impulsive and unable to act. They can tolerate being alone, display inappropriate anger, lack confidence in how they view themselves and how others evaluate them, and may self-harm.
“There is evidence linking genes associated with emotional control and impulsivity in borderline personality disorder,” Dr. Singhal said.
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attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral disorder that usually begins in childhood and is characterized by short attention spans, difficulty staying calm and still, and poor impulse control, and is caused by genetic mutations. There is a possibility.
In some cases, rare genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities can cause the disease, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Genes associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are thought to be involved in brain development, including growth, production, neuron organization, communication between neurons and regulation of neurotransmitters. encodes proteins that affect several aspects of the
People with this disease often have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which affects motivation, motor control, cognition, and behavior.
Siblings and children of people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are nine times more likely to develop the disease than the average person.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is primarily genetic, Dr. Singhal said, with genes related to brain development and dopamine signaling pathways involved in the disorder’s manifestation.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental illness characterized by obsessions, which are intrusive thoughts, mental fantasies, or urges to perform certain actions, and compulsions, which consist of repeatedly performing certain actions. and can be caused by mutations in the genes that provide the instructions. According to the National Library of Medicine, these include mutations in proteins that respond to or transport serotonin, or genes involved in communication within the brain.
“Obsessive-compulsive disorder exhibits a polygenic inheritance, involving genes related to neurotransmitter systems and brain development,” Dr. Singhal said.
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dementia
Dementia is a general term that describes disorders of memory, thinking, and decision-making, and there are many different types, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. This is a progressive disease that begins with mild memory loss, followed by a loss of the ability to carry on a conversation or react to the environment.
The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a well-known gene that influences Alzheimer’s disease risk. This gene codes for a protein that helps transport cholesterol and other types of fats into the bloodstream, and when these processes are disrupted, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases.
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Other factors contributing to mental health disorders
Environmental factors, individual personality traits, personal experiences, and social factors play important roles in the development of mental health disorders.
Dr. Gupta explained that the causes of mental illness are not solely determined by genetics; biological factors such as brain chemistry, structure, and function can lead to neurotransmitter imbalances and hormonal fluctuations. He said there is. “Psychological factors such as an individual’s personality traits and coping mechanisms, as well as experiences such as trauma and chronic stress, also shape mental health. Similarly, in addition to lifestyle choices and exposure to adversity, Social factors such as socio-economic status and support networks also influence mental health.”
According to Dr. Singhal, environmental factors can influence the development of mental health disorders, and research on these diseases must advance to create effective interventions, and the relationship between genetic predisposition and environmental influences must be improved. We must deepen our understanding of the complex interactions that exist. She said this is possible by increasing the sample size.
Dr. Gupta concluded that equitable access to care, increased availability and affordability of services, and improved social attitudes will influence treatment and support options.
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