Research from King’s College London reveals a link between ancient viral DNA sequences and mental health. This is probably the reason behind some of the psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at King’s College London led a study with a remarkable finding. Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient viral infections. These infections are embedded in our DNA. They play a significant role in susceptibility to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
The research appeared in Nature Communications. It was part-funded by prestigious institutions. These included the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre. They also included the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). This research marks a pivotal moment in understanding the intricate genetic factors underlying mental health conditions.
Relevance of Ancient Viral DNA
About eight percent of our genome consists of HERVs, previously considered ‘junk DNA’. However, advancements in genomics have revealed that these ancient viral sequences are far from irrelevant. They are actively expressed in the brain and contribute to the predisposition for psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Timothy Powell is a co-senior author of the study and a Senior Lecturer at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN). He emphasises the significance of this discovery. The results suggest that these viral sequences probably play a more important role in the human brain than originally thought.
By analysing data from extensive genetic studies and autopsy brain samples from 800 individuals, researchers identified specific HERVs associated with an increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. This breakthrough provides valuable insights into how genetic variations impact HERV expression and ultimately influence mental health conditions.
Most genetic risk variants linked to psychiatric disorders affect genes with known functions. However, some variants were found to preferentially impact HERV expression. This highlights the intricate interplay between ancient viral sequences and our susceptibility to mental health conditions.
This research opens up new avenues for mental health research and treatment strategies. Understanding the role of HERVs in brain function could pave the way for innovative diagnostic methods and targeted therapies for individuals affected by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and other psychiatric disorders.
For more information on this groundbreaking study, visit SciTechDaily. Stay tuned to ENTECH Magazine for the latest updates on STEM education!
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