For decades, scientists have been making claims about the genetic roots of mental illness, ranging from schizophrenia and depression, to bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder (ADHD). And for decades, they’ve largely been chasing ghosts.
Eric Kandel, writing for Newsweek, …
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I think it’s likely in conditions like schizophrenia, ADHD and bipolar that there are genetics invlolved, but I also think many forms of depression are certainly caused in large by events occuring throughout one’s life – especially when we are young but not limited to that time.
Science today has changed, I hope you used the right way, because there are medications such as vicodin, oxycodone, Lortab, etc, are anxiolytic and although much help to soothe the pain, can be double-edged weapon to control pain, so indicate in findrxonline to be confident that this discovery is beneficial to all.
Dear Dr Grohol –
I read today’s feature on Eric Kandel with interest as he is one of the panelists in “Minds on the Edge,” our upcoming PBS special (October 09)
Would you be interested in receiving an advance copy of the program for review?
I believe we are already following one another on Twitter, but you can also check us out on Facebook (mind on the edge)
Thanks & all best,
Kristin Fellows
“If the extra copy of chromosome 21 is ‘extremely common, how come Down syndrome isn’t so much more common?”
The passage you quote doesn’t say that an extra copy of chromosome 21 itself is extremely common, but that that type of variation is extremely common. I read that as meaning that an extra copy of any chromosome, not specifically the Downs-related chromosome 21, is common, which doesn’t sound unreasonable. I’m with you that the genetic origins of mental illness are likely to stay pretty elusive for a while, but I think that’s largely because the definitions of mental illnesses are so vague and subjective. Susceptibility to, say, repiratory trouble, almost certainly also has genetic roots, but some lung problems are caused by colds, some by asthma, some by cystic fibrosis, some by smoking, etc., and looking for a single “bad lung gene” or a “chronic coughing gene” would for the most part yield pretty poor results.
The thing to keep in mind is that genetics is often just a predisposition to a problem, not a 100% indicator that something will develop. It’s good that some scientists are trying to isolate genes. It’s also good that other scientists are learning how environmental factors activate and deactivate certain genes; especially interesting is the possibility (as with some research on autism and fever) that genes that get switched in one direction can reverse direction during the lifespan. Intake of vitamins (especially vitamin D, the only vitamin whose creation is primarily endogenous) and nutrients, environmental toxins, and psychosocial stress all interact with our genes in ways that are not yet clear. It seems that new branches of science should be created that focus on the connections between disparate research and theories. There seems to be way too much compartmentalization and specialization where this type of research is concerned.
That’s really funny — you questioning Eric Kandel’s logic!
People who don’t accept the genetic evidence we already have for some psychiatric illnesses — and the strong epigenetics for many more — need to go back to school so they can understand it. Either that or join the Flat Earth club.
There was going to be magic and we were told the magic was near. ” ‘NAMI takes seriously the statement of Dr.Thomas Insel [in 2003], director of the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) that with the right investments, scientists are within reach of finding a cure for schizophrenia in the next ten years,’ said NAMI national executive director Richard C. Birkel, PhD.” Newspapers regularly heralded one genetic discovery after another and the discoveries turned out too often to be less then originally represented.
In the interim services and supports in the community lagged far behind an ever growing need. One can hope for magic but one should never predicate current efforts and plan future actions based upon it.