It has recently been discovered that eight psychiatric disorders all share the same common genetic basis. A recent study focussed on a few of these shared genetic variants in the hopes of unraveling their properties. The researchers discovered that many of these genetic variants are active for longer periods of time during brain development. These could possibly impact various stages, which suggests they could potentially be targeted in order to treat multiple conditions. Understanding these overlapping genetic factors may lead to medicines that address many illnesses simultaneously rather than treating them separately.
Ripple Effects
These genes produce proteins that are connected to other proteins. What this means is that any changes to these proteins can potentially ripple all throughout the network, resulting in a widespread impact on the brain. A group of international researchers identified 190 various genes that were linked to eight psychiatric disorders in different combinations. These disorders included ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, major depressive disorder, anorexia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This overlap may suggest that these various disorders are biologically more similar than anticipated.
Similar Symptoms
This could potentially explain why many of these psychiatric disorders exhibit similar symptoms or appear at the same time, such as the connection between ADHD and autism. Disorders such as these often both appear in the same family and up to 70% of individuals who have one typically have the other too. All of the eight psychiatric disorders also have differences that are unique to each one, so the team also wanted to compare these unique genes to the genes that were shared between the various conditions. This comparison could assist in identifying which genetic differences cause overlapping symptoms and which drive disorder-specific traits.
Testing the Various Genes
Around 18,000 variations of the genes that were shared and unique were taken an put into precursor cells that eventually become neurons. This was done to observe how they could try impact gene expression within the cells during human developmental phases. From these observations, 683 genetic variants that affected gene regulation were identified. They were then further explored as neurons in trials involving developing mice. The capacity to control these genes in early development may pave the way for further gene-based psychiatric treatments.
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The Pleiotropic Variants
Pleiotropic genetic variants are those that are responsible for numerous seemingly unrelated traits. Pleiotropic variants have been found in significantly more protein-to-protein interactions than gene variants related to psychiatric disorders. Additionally, they were also active in more kinds of brain cells. These variants have also been linked to regulatory systems that affect various phases of brain development. These genes’ ability to influence process networks may explain why the same variations can cause different disorders.
Understanding the Genetic Basis
Pleiotropy has long been considered problematic since it complicates the categorization of psychiatric diseases. However, understanding the genetic basis of pleiotropy may allow them to create specific treatments that target these shared genetic characteristics. This could then subsequently help treat numerous psychiatric disorders with a common treatment. Considering that 1 in every 8 people suffer from some form of psychiatric condition globally, this would prove to be very beneficial for society indeed. If treatments can be created to address these common genetic characteristics, it may result in a paradigm shift in how psychiatric disorders are dealt with.
The Bottom Line
The identification of common genetic variations in numerous psychiatric disorders points to a possible new path for studying and treating these conditions. Researchers can create targeted treatments that address the underlying causes rather than the symptoms. This could transform psychiatric care, potentially leading to more effective and tailored therapy. As research proceeds, it is hoped that these genetic discoveries may pave the way for breakthroughs that will better the lives of millions of people around the world.
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