Gene More Than Doubles Risk of Depression Following Life Stresses
Among people who suffered multiple stressful life events over 5
years, 43 percent with one version of a gene developed depression
(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depressionmenu.cfm),
compared to only 17 percent with another version of the gene, say
researchers funded, in part, by the National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH). Those with the "short," or stress-sensitive version
of the serotonin transporter gene were also at higher risk for depression
if they had been abused as children. Yet, no matter how many stressful
life events they endured, people with the "long," or protective
version experienced no more depression than people who were totally
spared from stressful life events. The short variant appears to
confer vulnerability to stresses, such as loss of a job, breaking-up
with a partner, death of a loved one, or a prolonged illness, report
Drs. Avshalom Caspi, Terrie Moffitt, University of Wisconsin and
King's College London, and colleagues, in the July 18, 2003 Science.
The serotonin transporter gene codes for the protein in neurons, brain cells, that recycles the chemical messenger after it's been secreted into the synapse, the gulf between cells. Since the most widely prescribed class of antidepressants act by blocking this transporter protein, the gene has been a prime suspect in mood and anxiety disorders. Yet, its link to depression eluded detection in eight previous studies.
"We found the connection only because we looked at the study members' stress history," noted Moffitt. She suggested that measuring such pivotal environmental events which can include infections and toxins as well as psychosocial traumas might be the key to unlocking the secrets of psychiatric genetics.
Although the short gene variant appears to predict who will become depressed following life stress about as well as a test for bone mineral density predicts who will get a fractured hip after a fall, it's not yet ready for use as a diagnostic test, Moffitt cautioned. If confirmed, it may eventually be used in conjunction with other, yet-to-be-discovered genes that predispose for depression in a "gene array" test that could help to identify candidates for preventive interventions. Discovering how the "long" variant exerts its apparent protective effect may also lead to new treatments, added Moffitt.
Everyone inherits two copies of the serotonin transporter gene, one from each parent. The two versions are created by a slight variation in the sequence of DNA in a region of the gene that acts like a dimmer switch, controlling the level of the gene's turning on and off. This normal genetic variation, or polymorphism, leads to transporters that function somewhat differently. The short variant makes less protein, resulting in increased levels of serotonin in the synapse and prolonged binding of the neurotransmitter to receptors on connecting neurons. Its transporter protein may thus be less efficient at stopping unwanted messages, Moffitt suggests.
Moffitt and colleagues followed 847 Caucasian New Zealanders, born in the early l970s, from birth into adulthood. Reflecting the approximate mix of the two gene variants in Caucasian populations, 17 percent carried two copies of the stress-sensitive short version, 31 percent two copies of the protective long version, and 51 percent one copy of each version.
Based on clues from studies in knockout mice (http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/research/lcs/research.html#mouse),
monkeys and functional brain imaging (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/events/pramygdala.cfm)
in humans, the researchers hypothesized that the short variant predisposed
for depression via a "gene-by-environment interaction." They charted
study participants' stressful life events employment, financial,
housing, health and relationship woes from ages 21-26. These included
debt problems, homelessness, a disabling injury, and being an abuse
victim. Thirty percent had none, 25 percent one, 20 percent two,
11 percent three, and 15 percent four or more such stressful life
experiences. When evaluated at age 26, 17 percent of the participants
had a diagnosis of major depression in the past year and three percent
had either attempted or thought about suicide.
Although carriers
of the short variant who experienced four or more life stresses
represented only 10 percent of the study participants, they accounted
for nearly one quarter of the 133 cases of depression. Among those
with four or more life stresses, 33 percent with either one or two
copies of the short variant and 43 percent of those with two
copies of the short variant developed depression, compared to
17 percent of those with two copies of the long variant.
The stressful
life events led to onset of new depression among people with one
or two copies of the short gene variant who didn't have depression
before the events happened. The events failed to predict a diagnosis
of new depression among those with two copies of the long variant.
Among those who had experienced multiple stressful events, 11 percent
with the short variant thought about or attempted suicide, compared
to 4 percent with two copies of the long variant. These self-reports
were corroborated by reports from participants' loved ones.
The
researchers suggest that effects of genes in complex disorders like
psychiatric illnesses are most likely to be uncovered when such
life stresses are measured, since a gene's effects may only be expressed,
or turned on, in people exposed to the requisite environmental risks.
Also participating in the study were: Karen Sugden, Alan Taylor,
Dr. Ian Craig, Joseph McClay, Jonathan Mill, King's College London;
Dr. Honalee Harrington, University of Wisconsin; Judy Martin, Dr.
Richie Poulton, Dunedin School of Medicine; Dr. Antony Braithwaite,
University of Otago.
In addition to NIMH, the research was also
supported by the University of Wisconsin Graduate School, United
Kingdom Medical Research Council, Health Research Council of New
Zealand, William T. Grant Foundation, Royal Society-Wolfson Research
Merit Award.
NIMH is part of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), the Federal Government's primary agency for biomedical and
behavioral research. NIH is a component of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
Attachment: Stress-Sensitive
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