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August 20, 2008
Research suggests association between bipolar disorder and genes controlling function of ion channels
PsychCentral (8/18, Nauert) reported that there may be "an association between" bipolar disorder "and variation in two genes that make components of channels that manage the flow of the elements into and out of cells, including neurons," according to a study published online in the journal Nature Genetics.
For the study, Pamela Sklar, M.D., Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues, examined "about 1.8 million sites of genetic variation in 10,596 people -- including 4,387 with bipolar disorder." The team found "two genes showing the strongest association among 14 disorder-associated chromosomal regions." Specifically, a "[v]ariation in a gene called Ankyrin 3 (ANK3) showed the strongest association with bipolar disorder."
In addition, "[v]ariation in a calcium-channel gene found in the brain showed the second strongest association with" the "disorder. This CACNA1C protein similarly regulates the influx and outflow of calcium." The study's findings "point to the possibility that bipolar disorder might stem, at least in part, from malfunction of ion channels." MedWire (8/19, Czyzewski) also reports the study.
Related Links:
- "Genetic Link For Bipolar, Rick Nauert, Ph.D., PsychCentral, August 18, 2008.
Posted by admin at August 20, 2008 01:07 PM