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San Diego (pte046/16.06.2003/15:59) - A mutation in the GRK 3 gene causes manic depression in one out of ten people, say researchers at the University of California in San Diego http://www.ucsd.edu .
According to the report described by BBC online, GRK3 plays an important role in the interpretation of mood regulators in the brain, such as dopamine. The researchers in a team led by John Kelsoe studied DNA samples from 400 families. They recognised that the mutated gene had the wrong 'timing'. The scientists presume that GRK3 activates itself at the wrong time and therefore remains inactive when it should be functioning, resulting in extreme mood swings. Kelsoe explained that the GRK3 defect could lead to hypersensitivity to dopamine.
People with manic depression, also known as bi-polar disorder, suffer from drastic moods swings, ranging from overwhelming euphoria to severe depression. While medication is available, doctors say the treatment only works in half of patients.
Kelsoe said he hoped the discovery of the link between the mutated gene and manic depression would help pave the way for more effective medication.
The study has been published in the professional journal called Molecular Psychiatry http://www.nature.com/mp .
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