A new Yale study suggests that a gene may control depression. The research “linked the activation of a gene (MKP-1), which inhibits an important neural signaling pathway, to the biological mechanism that drives depression.”
The study found that the activation or deactivation of the gene determined how rodents would react to stress. When “researchers exposed rats to depression inducing conditions, the results showed that depression universally increases the expression of this gene. Further, when the researchers “ran a study to determine whether the expression of the gene induced depressive behaviour in rodents, they found that when the gene was activated, the rats acted depressed when exposed to STRESS; and when the gene was deleted, the mice were resistant to stress.”
The team of Yale researchers was led by Psychiatry and Pharmacology Professor Ronald Duman, who stated that they are now looking to develop new antidepressants, as to block this gene, since “only one-third of patients respond to the first antidepressant prescribed and only two-thirds respond to available medication.” Researchers hoped that such a drug would improve the treatment of depression, which affects 16% of Americans annually and produces an annual economic burden of $100 billion.
Just a couple of observations.
One, the rats experienced depressive-like symptons because they were exposed to depressive-like INDUCING conditions.
Two, the gene was activated due to stress, so perhaps the depression we experience at various times in our life is a normal, natural response to overwhelming stress or pressure – everyone has a breaking point.
Three, the gene didn’t cause the depression, it was only activated after the rat was exposed to stress.
Surely it follows that minimising or developing improved coping mechanisms may reduce or eliminate depression. Perhaps in some respects, depression may be an innate survival mechanism, despite it’s sinister and insidious side effects. It shuts us down emotionally and mentally, so that something physical doesn’t break. More on that concept at another time.
Finally, why aren’t the real effectiveness of antidepressants being widely publicised and reported. I can understand it to an extent, as the authorities are most likely very keen to encourage people to get help for their problem. But, by the same token however, I think it does the consumer a disservice, because if you were the one on the medication and it wasn’t working effectively, it could prove an extremely disheartening situation
