BARCELONA (EFE).— A study led by the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) identified an epigenetic alteration related to adverse situations in childhood, such as physical abuse or emotional abuse, with the appearance of bipolar disorder.
The project, published in “Molecular Psychiatry”, was led by Dr. Elisabet Vilella, head of the Genetics and Environment Research Group in Psychiatry (GAP) and had the support of professionals from the Institut Pere Mata University Hospital and the Rovira University. i Virgili, both Spanish organizations.
The progress achieved with this study lies in the fact that in the future, through a blood test of the person with bipolar disorder, the severity of this alteration (in the DDR1 gene) might be determined and that the treatments might be “more personalized and effective.” ”.
The researchers included 128 adults with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 141 people without this mental illness who were followed up with clinical and psychological evaluations, along with the analysis of blood samples.
DDR1 is a gene that exerts its function in one of the most important cells in the brain: oligodendrocytes, responsible for covering neurons with myelin, a layer composed of lipids that helps information be transmitted more quickly and efficiently.
Previous studies have shown that between 60 and 85% of cases, the appearance of bipolar disorder – which is estimated to be suffered by 2% of the world’s population – is due to genetic factors, so it can be inherited, although there are other variables. , such as those related to the environment.
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2024-04-20 22:52:25
