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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by RedSoxFan79 on January 18, 2006, at 19:54:59
Australian researchers found those with a gene linked to being bipolar, or manic-depressive, are twice as likely to develop the disease. Scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney and University of New South Wales, have discovered the first risk gene specifically for bipolar disorder. "We are the first group in the world to take a multi-faceted approach to identify a bipolar risk gene -- we used a number of families, unrelated patients, and therapeutic drug mouse models. Each of these three lines of investigation led us to a gene called FAT," said lead author Dr. Ian Blair.
"We know that the FAT gene codes for a protein that is involved in connecting brain cells together, what we need to do now is find out exactly how the it contributes to the increased risk of bipolar disorder." Bipolar disorder is a major psychiatric illness affecting around one person in every 50 and about 1-in-6 people suffering from the condition commit suicide. The findings are published in Molecular Psychiatry.
I have researched this more and it looks like that gene is involved in Fatty Acid Transport (hence FAT). Im finding alot of info talking about elevated Arachidonic levels, and increased AA/EPA levels. Amazing.
Posted by nolvas on January 18, 2006, at 21:24:03
In reply to FAT gene linked to Bipolar disorder, posted by RedSoxFan79 on January 18, 2006, at 19:54:59
Also linked to depression as well it seems. The modern diet appears to have less Omega 3 fatty acids now and more Omega 6.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25134
Posted by tealady on January 18, 2006, at 23:06:30
In reply to Re: FAT gene linked to Bipolar disorder, posted by nolvas on January 18, 2006, at 21:24:03
> Also linked to depression as well it seems. The modern diet appears to have less Omega 3 fatty acids now and more Omega 6.
>
> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25134
>
>
Hi Nolvas,
I wondered how the heck they worked out the rats were depressed.. some may have just been pretending to look happy ;-) sooo I clicked on the link.
The manuscript for the Journal of Lipid Research paper can be downloaded from the following URL: jlr.org/cgi/content/abstract/C500003-JLR200v1.this one.. and you get that the depressive rats were fed the same diet, but they were different type of rat, namely FSL rats.
hmm ...maybe they have a something different about these rats anyhow that causes the fats to have a difference balance in their brains..
googles FSL rats
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/flinders.htmThe Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats were originally selectively bred for increased responses to an anticholinesterase agent. The FSL rat partially resembles depressed individuals because it exhibits reduced appetite and psychomotor function but exhibits normal hedonic responses and cognitive function. The FSL rat also exhibits sleep and immune abnormalities that are observed in depressed individuals. Neurochemical and/or pharmacological evidence suggests that the FSL rat exhibits changes consistent with the cholinergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, NPY, and circadian rhythm models but not the noradrenergic, HPA axis or GABAergic models of depression. However, evidence for the genetic basis of these changes is lacking and it remains to be determined which, if any, of the neurochemical changes are primary to the behavioral alterations. The FSL rat model has been very useful as a screen for antidepressants because known antidepressants reduced swim test immobility when given chronically and psychomotor stimulants did not. Furthermore, rolipram and a melatonin agonist were shown to have anti-immobility effects in the FSL rats and later to have antidepressant effects in humans. Thus, the FSL rat model of depression exhibits some behavioral, neurochemical, and pharmacological features that have been reported in depressed individuals and has been very effective in detecting antidepressants.
So I dont know.
How did they selectively bred these rats?It doesn't seem that they function exactly the same as depressed people and yet it appears they screen anti-D's on them?
I know we just can't test on humans.... but
still the ARE saying they've found in this rat bred to appear to have some things the same as people when depressed.. I've never swum long anyway without giving up! and I reckon I'd have a high degree of immobolity if asked to swim ashore a long distance off a island..
So these rats DO have more arachidonic acid and no more (n-3 PUFA, or saturated and monounsaturated FAs. So maybe if you have more AA you have a high degree of immobility in a swim test?,http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8455816&dopt=Abstract
again something about "like depressed humans, it is supersensitive to the behavioral and hormonal effects of cholinergic (muscarinic) agonists"
Can anyone explain that bit to me.. wondering if we should avoid choline etc.
Jan
Posted by linkadge on January 19, 2006, at 9:53:04
In reply to Re: FAT gene linked to Bipolar disorder » nolvas, posted by tealady on January 18, 2006, at 23:06:30
I never liked the forced swim test. Enhanced swimming time could be indicitive of a kind of drug induced nervous energy.
For instance, is cocaine active in the forced swim test ?
I know there have been various models of "bipolar mice", some models have increased senstivity to amphetamines, and general problems with the sleep wake cycle.
Linkadge
Posted by RedSoxFan79 on January 19, 2006, at 22:19:17
In reply to Re: FAT gene linked to Bipolar disorder, posted by linkadge on January 19, 2006, at 9:53:04
Im Trying to get some more info on specifically what this protein does, but so far this is the most significant find in terms of a specific gene related to BPD.
This is the end of the thread.
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