Two new genes linked to bipolar disorder discovered

Scientists have discovered two new genes and have also confirmed three additional suspect genes that are connected to bipolar disorder.

The researchers from Bonn,Mannheim and Basel , who recorded about 2.3 million different regions in the genetic material of patients and comparators, found that there are a total of five risk regions in the DNA associated with the disorder.

The researchers are particularly interested in the newly discovered gene region 'ADCY2', which codes an enzyme involved in the conduction of signals into nerve cells. Prof. Markus Nothen from Bonn said that this study fits very well with observations that the signal transfer in certain regions of the brain is impaired in patients with bipolar disorder. (Read: Genes that trigger bipolar disorder discovered?)

The study was published journal Nature Communications.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a kind of mood disorder where sufferers experience episodes of extreme elation or 'mania' alternating with episodes of extreme depression. It varies from person to person and in lower levels the manic phase can be highly productive while at more advanced levels this phase can lead to erratic behaviour and complete disconnect from the real world. (Read: Bipolar disorder: Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment)

With inputs from ANI

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