About Us Portfolio Press Careers Sitemap Advertise Contact Us Make this your Homepage

Custom Search

Register

Sign In

Sign In Using Facebook

Home » Research News

T-Rex Useful in Beating Depression

by Rajshri on June 06, 2008 at 4:02 PM Research News

A genetic link between dinosaurs and humans has been found by scientists at Aberdeen University. The researchers say this could provide clues to developing a treatment for depression.

Related Links

The team found that the component in human DNA, which activates depression, was also present in dinosaurs and would have helped determine their moods.

Using revolutionary technology, the scientists identified the genetic "switches" they believe turn off and on genes that control our behaviour and moods.

According to the team, the switches, also known as "enhancers", have not changed in human genes for hundreds of millions of years.

To make the link between humans and dinosaurs, the researchers examined the DNA structures of other species of animals and birds.

They believe that these enhancers may hold the key to understanding the causes of depression and shed light on why some people develop the illness while others, with a similar genetic make-up, do not.

Though the enhancers are found in every animal alive today, their position has remained unknown until now.

"It appears the switch that drives the gene (which causes depression] seems to have controlled feelings of fear and anxiety in our ancestors 300 million years ago," the Scotsman quoted Dr Alasdair MacKenzie, senior lecturer at Aberdeen University, who is leading the study, as saying.

"The difference is that, originally, it was part of our survival system. The pathology of this gene now is people suffer these same feelings of fear and anxiety when they don't need them," he added.

Page 1

Page 1 | 2

Next

Model of Primitive Cell Created in the Lab

Mechanism of Human Puberty, Fertility may Be Provided by Zebrafish Study

More News on: Adolescence Depression, Depression, Stress Relief Through Alternative Medicine, Pregnancy and Complications, Bereavement, Andropause / Male Menopause

Comment & Contribute

Be the first to comment!
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters
	Notify me when reply is posted I agree to the terms and conditions
Your comments are automatically posted once they are submitted. All comments are however constantly reviewed for spam and irrelevant material (such as product or personal advertisements, email addresses, telephone numbers and website address). Such insertions do not conform to our policy and 'Terms of Use' and are either deleted or edited and republished. Please keep your comments brief and relevant.This section may also have questions seeking help. If you have the information you are welcome to respond, but please ensure that the information so provided is genuine and not misleading.

Medwonders Health Network

Support Groups Members Discussions

Total Members - 54932
Support Groups - 445

Health News Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Latest News Most Popular Most Commented

RSBY to Provide Health Insurance for 66,000 J&K Families

Same-sex Couples in US can Now Access Health Insurance

Children With Sleep Apnea May Benefit From PAP Therapy

Russia Alarmed Over Soaring Teenage Suicides

Study Provides Evidence of Malaria's Impact on Fetal Growth

News Archive
Date :
Category :
Keyword :

Quiz on Depression
Depressed people talk of suicide. Should you press the panic button or seek medical help? What are the symptoms of depression? Why do we get depressed? To find out take this quiz on depression.

News Quick Links

	News Central			Health Watch
	Latest Health News			Health In Focus
	News Category (500+)			Breaking Health News
	Popular News			Celebrating Life
	Health News and Press Release			Medindia - Exclusive
	News Photo Gallery			India Special
	News Video Gallery			Lifestyle and Wellness
	News From Other Resources

Depression

Complete Medindia Resources

News Categories:


»	Trauma Patients Have High Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency

»	Bread and Dinner Rolls Have High Salt Levels: CDC

»	Latest Weight Loss Tip

»	Diabetes Diagnosis Triggers Unhealthy Diet Promotion Charge on US Celebrity Chef

»	Decaffeinated Coffee Could Improve Memory Function
More Diet News

Research Related News
»	Study Provides Evidence of Malaria's Impact on Fetal Growth	»	Research Sheds Light on Usefulness of Bubble-Propelled Microrockets
»	Research Details How Deadly Bird Parasite Evolves at a Fast Rate	»	Peptides That Could Lead to Universal Influenza Vaccine Identified
»	Video-Based Home Exercise Able to Ease Osteoarthritis Pain and Perk Up Mobility	»	Memory Enhancement by Stimulating Key Spot in Brain
»	Substance P Causes Seizures in People With Pork Tapeworm	»	Neighboring 'Finger Nerve Cells' Render Middle Finger Slowest

Read More >>

T-Rex Useful in Beating Depression

Medwonders Health Network

Research Related News

Consumers

Medical Professionals

Medical Students

Directories