Genes influenced the symptoms of bipolar disorder
Genes associated with depression and schizophrenia affect symptoms of bipolar disorder. The disorder's link to genes associated with mania has been shown to be weak.Experts from the UK have discovered that bipolar disorder has different forms of symptoms such as mania, depression and psychosis. One of the key findings is that these different dimensions of symptoms have different genetic profiles, revealed the study published in The Lancet.
Researchers found that genes associated with the risk of depression significantly influenced depression symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder. This supports the hypothesis of a genetic link between bipolar disorder and depression.
Genes associated with schizophrenia risk were also found to have a strong association with symptoms of psychosis in patients with bipolar disorder. This suggests that certain genetic factors may influence the occurrence of psychosis in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
However, the association between genes associated with risk of bipolar disorder and symptoms of mania was relatively weak. This may indicate more complex mechanisms for the development of manic symptoms and the influence of factors other than genetics.
The study included 4,148 patients with bipolar disorder, including 2,804 women (67.6%). Participants registered with the UK Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN) had an average age of 45 years at the time of interview.
Genetic diversity plays an important role in the clinical diversity of bipolar disorder, the authors conclude. Understanding these differences will help clinicians individualize approaches to diagnosing and treating patients. The experts emphasize the importance of considering genetic factors in the study and understanding of bipolar disorder.