New Clues About a Depression Gene

[The Straight Story]

New Clues About a Depression Gene

May 9, 2005 -- Hot on the trail of the genetic influences on depression, researchers may have found a new clue about one particular gene.

The gene -- called 5-HTT (the serotonin transporter gene) -- may be one of several genes that affect susceptibility to depression. Serotonin, a brain chemical messenger, has been implicated in depression. When levels get too low, you get depressed.

However, a variation in this gene doesn't seem to doom anyone to depression by itself. If it did, Daniel Weinberger, MD, and colleagues might have had a harder time with their study. The results appear in Nature Neuroscience's online edition.

The exact causes of depression are not known. Both genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/105/107886.htm