Genetics and Bipolar Disorders
Many researches today are are looking into genetics and bipolar disorder. Evidence is gaining that shows there may be a genetic component to this mental health problem. Some ways that researchers are looking into genetics is by performing gene linkage studies and twin studies.
What they're finding is that if someone has a bipolar disorder the identical twin has a 70% chance that they will also have a bipolar disorder. This is called the monozygotic concordance rate and while studies are ongoing, some of the latest ones to show a lower rate of around 40%.
Gene research is another way that genetics and bipolar disorder are being studied. In 2003, the paper was published which showed that a mutation in the GRK3 gene could be the cause of 10% of bipolar disorder cases. This study done by a group of Canadian and American researchers is important in understanding what causes bipolar disorder.
The GRK3 gene is associated with kinase 3 an enzyme which is involved in dopamine metabolism. This finding is significant because it may provide us with a possible method of treatment for this disorder.
In 2007 genetics and bipolar disorder were studied in another gene linkage study. This time an international team identified many genes that were likely to have a relation to bipolar disorder. This study by the National Institute of Mental Health seems to indicate that he disorder is possibly related to multiple genes.
Well any links between genetics and bipolar disorder have not been completely proven, there has been much progress in this area of research in recent times. There are many ongoing studies that are looking into the link between genes and this disorder which will hopefully come up with better methods of treatment.