DEPRESSION LINKED TO GENES

Another great article I have come across to prove yet again, depression is not all in the mind. It's long been suspected that depression can run in families and this proves the genetic link. This research will further help to find better treatment for this condition and finally dispel once and for all "Depression is not all in the mind", "Pull yourself together" and "Mind over matter" and all those stupid phrases that ignorant people like to say to those with the condition.

The happiness gene that determines how cheery we are

How happy we are may depend as much on our genes as how well our lives are going, researchers have found.
They say that they have found a gene that releases 'happy' chemicals into the brain.
The 5-HTT gene also helps nerve cells recycle serotonin, another chemical in the brain which is linked to mood and depression.

In the genes: The 5-HTT gene helps release happy chemicals and recycle serotonin

Scientists from the London School of Economics analysed the genes of 2,500 people and found the happiest were the ones who inherited two 'long' versions of the 5-HTT gene.
The least happy were those who inherited the two 'short' versions of the gene.

Behavioural economist Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, who conducted the research, told the Express: 'It has long been suggested that this gene plays a role in mental health, but this study is the first to to show it is instrumental in shaping individual happiness levels.
'The results suggest a strong link between happiness and this functional variant of the 5-HTT gene.

Controlling who we are: A person's DNA make-up, as displayed in this image, controls how likely we are to say we are happy

'This finding helps to explain why some people tend to be naturally happier than others, and that's in no small part due to our individual genetic make-up.'
To conduct the research, published in the Journal of Human Genetics, the researchers compared the genetic make-up of each volunteer and asked them a series of questions including: 'How satisfied as a whole are you with your life?'
Those who had two long 5-HTT genes reported the most positive results - with the chances of them replying 'very positive' boosted by 17 per cent.
Some 26 per cent of those with two short 5-HTT genes were dissatisfied with their life.

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