About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Study Says DNA may Uncover If Death is Depression or Suicide

by Rajashri on August 2, 2008 at 4:15 PM
 Study Says DNA may Uncover If Death is Depression or Suicide

Brain tissue collected during autopsies may reveal if a person fell victim to major depression or suicide, a new study has said.

Led by Dr. Michael O. Poulter of Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario and Dr. Hymie Anisman of the Neuroscience Research Institute at Carleton University, the researchers revealed that proteins that modify DNA directly are more highly expressed in the brains of people who commit suicide.

Advertisement

These proteins are involved in chemically modifying DNA in a process called epigenomic regulation.

In their study, the researchers compared the brains of people who committed suicide with those of a control group who died suddenly, from heart attacks and other causes.
Advertisement

The findings revealed that the genome in depressed people who had committed suicide was chemically modified by a process that is normally involved in regulating the essential characteristics of all cells in the body.

"We have about 40,000 genes in every cell and the main reason a brain cell is a brain cell is because only a small fraction of the genes are turned on. The remaining genes that are not expressed are shut down by an epigenetic process called DNA methylation," said Poulter.

It was discovered that methylation in the suicide brains was much greater than that of the control group. In fact, one of the genes they studied was shown to be heavily chemically modified and its expression was reduced. This particular gene plays a major role in regulating brain activity.

"Interestingly, the nature of this chemical modification is long term and hard to reverse, and this fits with depression," said Poulter.

"The whole idea that the genome is so malleable in the brain is surprising. Finding that epigenetic mechanisms continue to influence gene expression is pretty unusualThese observations open an entirely new avenue of research and potential therapeutic interventions," said Poulter, who is also a professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Western's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The paper is published in Biological Psychiatry.

Source: ANI
RAS/L
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Genetics & Stem Cells News

Is Stem Cell Therapy Safe for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Treatment?
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis has been successfully treated using autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy.
Genetic Insights Into Androgenetic Alopecia
Innovative discoveries in male hair loss research uncover uncommon genetic variants tied to it.
Uncovering Genetic Harmony for Safer Hearts
Researchers achieved a significant milestone in uncovering the genetic basis of dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermanns.
Gene Therapy Breaks Up New Dawn for Beta Thalassemia
Groundbreaking gene therapy for genetic beta thalassemia is now accessible as a treatment to a patient post-FDA approval.
Scientists Uncover Stem Cells in the Thymus for the First Time
Thymic stem cells actively participate in their environment by generating extracellular matrix proteins, essentially forming their own support system.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Study Says DNA may Uncover If Death is Depression or Suicide Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests