[amicus_curiae]

I read this a few days back and found it of extraordinary interest... maybe other’s might also.

The title of the article is “Major mental illnesses unexpectedly share brain gene activity, raising hope for better diagnostics and therapies.”

Major mental illnesses unexpectedly share brain gene activity, raising hope for better diagnostics and therapies | Science | AAAS

[tecomsin]

I agree, it's a fascinating study. They find that bipolar and schizophrenia share the most gene expression anomalies. And bipolar shares more with autism spectrum disorder than with unilateral depression. I don't think these results were expected by most knowledgeable people.

It stands to reason that the medication regimens for schizophrenia and bipolar overlap about as much as the gene expression data. They find a correlation coefficient almost equal to 3/4 out of a maximum of 1 for bipolar and schizophrenia.

[Tucson]

Fascinating article indeed!

[tecomsin]

So far no drug has been approved to treat the 'core symptoms' of autism spectrum disorder. Those are related to social isolation and lack of communication. This study suggests to me (I didn't read the technical article) that if such a medication family were found it could also benefit people with bipolar or schizophrenia.

My guess is that this hypothetical autism medication would be able to treat the so-called 'negative' symptoms of schizophrenia and related symptoms in bipolar.

[99fairies]

Very interesting. Thanks for the good read!

[DeFyYing]

Originally Posted by tecomsin

I agree, it's a fascinating study. They find that bipolar and schizophrenia share the most gene expression anomalies. And bipolar shares more with autism spectrum disorder than with unilateral depression. I don't think these results were expected by most knowledgeable people.

It stands to reason that the medication regimens for schizophrenia and bipolar overlap about as much as the gene expression data. They find a correlation coefficient almost equal to 3/4 out of a maximum of 1 for bipolar and schizophrenia.

It's interesting too since psychotic symptoms are often found isolated during a mood episode for those with bipolar. Also possible in depression too, but I don't believe it's as often. Just goes to show the connection.

Oh and also interested in epilepsy. Haven't looked anything up yet, but I find it interesting how anticonvulsants in their unmodified states can stabilize bipolar. Plus my mom is epileptic, and as far as I'm aware I'm the only person with bipolar in the family.

[annielovesbacon]

I liked the part where they talk about how bipolar may be more similar to schizophrenia than depression (if I understood it correctly). That would make sense why for most of us, antidepressants don't work or even make things worse. Bipolar depression is different than unipolar depression and needs to be treated with a different medicine.