Genetics and Health

November 4th, 2008

Seasonal Affective Disorder linked to mutation

The cold and short days of winter usually make people eat and sleep more. Some may even have cabin fever or claustrophobia from being indoors most days. These are normal reactions for most of us during the fall to winter season. However, a person who suffers from seasonal affective disorder may experience more serious […]

By Grace Ibay -- 0 comments

January 23rd, 2008

Depression evolved as a defense not a defect?

 
Depression affects enormous numbers of people from across the world. One in four of us will suffer from it at some point in our lives; one in ten will in the next year, and about one in twenty of us is living with the condition right now.
A new book, recently published, suggests depression may have persisted […]

By Elaine -- 5 comments

October 10th, 2006

Serotonin Transporter Gene, Family Environment, and Depression

UCLA researchers have found that the short form of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) increases a person’s risk of depression but its influence is modulated by family environment.

Among children from supportive, nurturing families, those with the short form of the serotonin transporter gene (known as 5-HTTLPR) had a significantly reduced risk for depression
Among children from […]

By Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD -- 2 comments