A recent discovery found that eight different mental health conditions have the same genetic basis. A new study looked closer at these shared genes to learn more about them. Many of these genes are active for longer in the brain’s development stages and could affect multiple areas, making them potential targets for new treatments.
These genes are also connected to many other proteins, which could lead to wide effects on the brain if changed.”Scientists found 109 genes linked to eight mental health disorders like autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia.”
These conditions may have similar symptoms or appear together in families. By studying these shared and unique genes, researchers identified 683 variants that impact brain cell development. These genes are involved in regulating different stages of brain development and impacting various brain cells.
Understanding these shared genes could help in developing treatments for multiple mental health conditions. With almost 1 billion people globally living with mental health issues, this research could make a big difference.
The study was published in the journal Cell.
Vocabulary List:
- Conditions /kənˈdɪʃənz/ (noun): States of being or circumstances that affect an individual or group.
- Genetic /dʒəˈnɛtɪk/ (adjective): Relating to genes or heredity.
- Variants /ˈvɛəriənts/ (noun): Different forms or versions of something especially in biological contexts.
- Development /dɪˈvɛl.əp.mənt/ (noun): The process of developing or being developed such as growth or evolution.
- Regulating /ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪtɪŋ/ (verb): Controlling or maintaining the rate or speed of a process.
- Disorders /dɪsˈɔrdərz/ (noun): An interruption of normal physical or mental functions.
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