Genetics & Epigenetics

Sleep Patterns vs. Risk of Psychiatric Disorders: Depression, Schizophrenia, ADHD (2024 Study)

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Insomnia and daytime napping are causally associated with an increased risk of major depressive disorder (MDD), while sleep duration influences the risk of schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Highlights: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Insomnia and napping during the day significantly increase the risk of MDD. Schizophrenia: Longer sleep duration is associated with a higher risk …

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Probiotics Alter Clock Gene Expression in Depression to Improve Mood (2024 Study)

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Probiotic treatment may influence core clock gene expression and metabolites in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), potentially linking gut microbiota to circadian rhythms and mood regulation. Highlights: CLOCK Gene Expression: The expression level of the CLOCK gene significantly increased only in individuals receiving probiotic treatment, suggesting a direct impact of probiotics on circadian rhythms. …

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Dyslexia Risk Increases via Environmental Chemicals, Pollutants, & Genetic Interactions (2024 Study)

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A study found significant overlaps between various environmental pollutants and dyslexia susceptibility genes, identifying associations with 35 out of 95 chemicals. This suggests that these chemicals may contribute to the development of dyslexia through interactions with specific genes. Highlights: Dyslexia Risk Genes & Chemicals: The study identified 131 dyslexia susceptibility genes and examined their interactions …

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High Zinc Levels Linked to Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease (2024 Study)

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Zinc levels were found to have a causal effect on the risk of Parkinson’s disease, while other oxidative stress biomarkers showed no significant association. Highlights: A study identified a significant causal relationship between higher zinc levels and increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). No causal effects were found between PD and other oxidative stress biomarkers …

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Antidepressant Efficacy vs. CYP2C19 & CYP2D6 Metabolism Genetics (2024 Review)

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CYP2C19 poor metabolizers showed a nominally higher antidepressant remission rate compared to normal metabolizers, but overall genetic variations in CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 were not significantly associated with antidepressant response. Highlights: Higher Remission Rate: CYP2C19 poor metabolizers had a nominally higher remission rate (OR = 1.46) compared to normal metabolizers, but this did not hold after …

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Occlusion Dysfunction (OD) Causally Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease (2024 Study)

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Occlusion dysfunction (OD) is causally linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), while dentures restoration can mitigate this risk. Highlights: Periodontal disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s do not have a direct causal relationship (P = 0.395). Loose teeth significantly increase the risk of AD progression (P = 0.017, OR = 187.3567). Dentures restoration is …

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Shared Genes & Biological Pathways in Depression & Alzheimer’s Disease (2024 Study)

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A study found shared brain-specific mechanisms between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and depression, particularly involving synaptic signaling and immune system pathways in the hippocampus, but no direct genetic overlap. Highlights: Six brain-specific eQTL genes (SRA1, MICA, PCDHA7, PCDHA8, PCDHA10, PCDHA13) are shared between AD and depression. Pathway analysis identified shared biological pathways, including synaptic signaling, myelination, …

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Novel Risk Genes for Schizophrenia Discovered in High Altitude Tibetans via Whole-Exome Sequencing (2024 Study)

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A study on Tibetans living at high altitudes identified novel risk genes for schizophrenia (SCZ) related to hypoxia, suggesting a unique genetic signature for SCZ in this population. Highlights: Whole-exome sequencing of 47 SCZ cases and 53 controls in Tibetans revealed 275 potential novel risk variants and two known variants. One gene, C5orf42, surpassed exome-wide …

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PCSK9 Inhibitors May Increase Parkinson’s Disease & Reduce ALS Risk (2024 Study)

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PCSK9 inhibitors significantly reduce the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Highlights: ALS Risk Reduction: PCSK9 inhibitors marginally reduced the risk of ALS with an odds ratio of 0.89 (p = 0.048). PD Risk Increase: PCSK9 inhibitors increased the risk of Parkinson’s disease, with an odds ratio …

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Psychological Trauma & Adversity May Accelerate Biological Aging (2024 Analysis)

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Adversity accelerates biological aging through health-compromising behaviors like smoking and possibly social disconnection, and future research needs to focus on causal methodologies to better understand these processes and develop effective interventions. Highlights: Mechanisms of Accelerated Aging: Recent studies suggest that adversity accelerates biological aging, with health-compromising behaviors, especially smoking, playing a significant role in this …

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