Your depression symptom Information
Research into manic depression, more formally called bipolar disorder, has been hindered, according to many in the scientific community due to the lack of animal models upon which to base studies.
Until now that is. Scientists have been able to create a genetically engineered defect in a specific gene which may play a leading role in causing mood disorders, like manic depression. The gene is known as glutamate receptor 6 – referred to as GluR6 – and has long been associated with manic depression.
Scientists knew that the gene was related to manic depression but were unsure of the exact mechanism. Not only that, but the gene encoding for the GluR6 receptor has not only been linked to manic depression, but also to the tendency of some individuals to consider suicide while taking antidepressant drugs in a separate pharmacogenetic study.
Interestingly enough, individuals who suffer with manic depression are the most susceptible to antidepressant-induced states of restlessness.
In the new study, scientists utilized mice to further examine the issue. The scientists used mice with the GluR6 gene missing, comparing them to a control group of mice who had the gene.
Both groups of mice underwent a series of tests specifically created to imitate the symptoms of manic episode of manic depression. The researchers discovered that the mice with the Glu6R gene missing displayed many of the symptoms of mania.
Not only were these mice more active in several tests, they also displayed more anxiety and more behavior traits that could be classified as risk taking and less behavior traits that could be called despair-type behavior. These mice without the GluR6 also displayed more aggressive behavior, another character trait of a manic episode of manic depression.
The scientists also administered biochemical tests on these mice, the results of which suggested that the GluR6 gene may also play a unique role in actually regulating some of the symptoms of mania.
Now that researchers have genetically engineered this type of laboratory mouse, they’ll be better able to study manic depression. This study also opens the door for further studies that may very well lead to new treatments.
Manic depression is a mental health disorder characterized by erratic swings in mood. Individuals with this health issue, most recently renamed bipolar disorder, are subject not only to depression, but also episodes of mania. These manic episodes involve high energy expenditure, sleeplessness for several days sometimes, as well as rapid speech, racing thoughts and feelings of grandiosity. Those individuals experiencing a manic episode may also display psychotic behavior, such as hallucinations.
Several mood stabilizing drugs are currently available for the treatment of manic depression. Individuals with manic depression are also encouraged to take a series of behavioral therapy as well.
For more resources regarding
bipolar or even about
symptom of bipolar disorder and especially about
bipolar medication please review these pages.
Article author: Fabiola Groshan
A It appears to be a growing problem not only in the United States, but also worldwide. And that leads many people, including author Michael Fitzgerald, to ask a question. Does the now, widespread treatment of manic depression somehow suppress some of the richest creativity that accompanies this problem?
Fitzgerald is the author of a new book, Genius Genes, in which he suggests that special forms of creativity are associated with a variety of cognitive disorders, including manic depression.
Einstein, for example, worked as a patent clerk for so long, according to Fitzgerald because he was too disruptive to hold a professorship at a university. Not only that, but Charles de Gaulle was said to suffer from a cognitive disorder as well – Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.
Kay Jamison, herself afflicted with manic depression, is the author of the book, Touched by Fire, and a clinical psychologist at Johns Hopkins University, said that creativity and mental illness is a theme that recurs throughout the history and study of psychiatry.
The eccentricity of many great writers, for example, is well-documented. A high proportion of them – poets in particular – had symptoms that could well be described as manic depression.
But these questions about creative and mental disorders are not idle ruminations. Some individuals worry that the ability to effectively “weed out” genes that may cause these mental disorders, including manic depression, may in some way stunt the creativity of our culture.
The fact that the gene is even present in the DNA gives scientists a moment of reflection. They point to the gene that causes sickle-cell anemia as an analogy. Many scientists wondered for many years why the gene persisted. According to Darwin’s theory, it should have been bred out of the human race long ago.
Then, the scientific community realized that the same gene which caused sickle cell anemia also protected those individuals from acquiring malaria, then it became ever clearer why the presence of that gene exists. It indeed was necessary to the survival of the human race.
Could it be the same theory with the genes that may trigger these mental disorders, including manic depression? After all, the richness of humanity and the very fabric of our culture are in a large part attributable to the diversity of each individual’s minds.
Having said that though, the creativeness associated with such health disorders as manic depression must be weighed against the despair, drug addiction and other problems that are routinely associated with the condition.
For every individual who may be a creative genius, how many individuals are losing their lives . . . destroying not only their lives but the lives of those around them . . . because of untreated manic depression?
Manic depression is characterized by swings of emotion that range from euphoric mania to severe depression. Those who are afflicted with manic depression are subject to the possibility of suicide as well as wild manic episodes whose characteristics may include feelings of grandeur, psychotic episodes, several sleepless nights in a row, as well as racing thoughts, and inappropriate risk taking.
For more resources regarding
bipolar or even about
symptom of bipolar disorder and especially about
bipolar medication please review these pages.
Article author: Fabiola Groshan
Teen depression strikes one in five children. This is a very frightening number. Depression is anything but a good thing. It happens to anyone, in any lifestyle, in any income range. Most of the time, it will not be noticed until it becomes a large problem. This should be the most sobering of all news about this epidemic. Yet, one thing that is hopeful about teen depression is that more and more individuals are learning about it and in this area of health, knowledge is power.
Tips To Noticing Depression In Teens
Teens are typically quite unpredictable, but when it comes to their health parents as well as friends should keep an eye out for these things and other things that you will find at http://www.avoiddepression.com.
* Sudden changes in their mood, appetite or weight can be indications of depression. While these things can also be something that is attributed to just being an adolescent, when it is coupled with other conditions, it should be taken note of.
* A loss of interest in doing the things that they used to love to do can be depression. Now, this is not necessarily something from their childhood, but something within the past few months. Perhaps they enjoyed horseback riding and just stopped doing it within the last months.
* Traumatic situations can cause teen depression to come on fast. For example, divorce or separation of their parents, death, economic changes, or even just friendship and significant other changes. Often, teens blame themselves for these conditions.
* A lack of emotion is a sign that something is definitely wrong. If they do not seem happy any more, for any reason, there may or may not be something bothering them. Depression doesn’t have to be brought on by something, it can just be there.
* Pulling away from family, friends and from school is something many teens with depression find themselves doing. They just withdraw into their own world. This is not normal teen behavior but a serious condition.
One thing that must be said about teen depression is that this is a serious, life threatening condition and one in which help should be sought for as soon as possible. There are many tragic stories of young teens harming themselves because they are suffering from depression and no one took notice.
Finally, on the good note, those teens that do get treatment for the depression that they are experiencing can actually recover quickly and completely from it and get back into doing the things they love to do. Talk to your doctor if you feel that you have been in any of these conditions or you know someone that is. They can determine what is happening and get life back on track for you.
Learn more about teen depression and depression in general at http://www.avoiddepression.com Get help now or help a friend in need.
Sandy Baker is a well respected writer and recommends visiting a good teen depression site, to learn more about this, as this is a major issue affecting most teens.
Article Source:
ezinearticles.com
