Khaberni - A massive scientific study published by "Nature" revealed that many psychological disorders, which were typically viewed as separate diseases, share overlapping genetic roots. Researchers confirm that these results could transform the future classification, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions.
The study titled "Mapping the genetic landscape across 14 psychiatric disorders" was conducted through extensive collaboration among researchers from more than ten global academic institutions, including the American University of Colorado Boulder and the British Harvard University.
A team from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium - Cross Disorder Working Group, led by researcher Andrew De Grootzinger, participated in the study.
The research relied on extensive genomic data that included more than 1.056 million cases with psychological disorders, alongside millions of healthy individuals. Researchers used advanced analyses of the human genome to identify genetic factors common across these disorders.
Five Key Genetic Factors
The results indicated that 14 major psychological disorders can be categorized into five genetic groups that reflect the genetic links among them:
1 - Compulsive factor: Includes obsessive-compulsive disorder and cases associated with compulsive behavior and stress.
2 - Schizophrenia–Bipolar factor: It was found that these two disorders intersect about 70% of the influencing genetic factors, explaining some of the similarities in symptoms and treatment response.
3 - Neurodevelopmental factor: Includes autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
4 - Internalizing factor: Groups depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
5 - Substance Use Disorders factor.
The study also identified 238 genetic loci linked to these disorders, reflecting a complex network of genetic overlaps among various psychological diseases.
Shared Biological Mechanisms
The study revealed that a large number of shared genes affect basic neural pathways in the brain, including nerve signal regulation and functions of glial cells, which play a central role in neurological and behavioral health.
One notable discovery was the presence of genetic hotspots on chromosome 11 encompassing genes like the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) gene, which regulates dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to mood, motivation, and behavior.
These findings help explain why certain antipsychotics used in treating schizophrenia and other psychological disorders are effective.
Rethinking Diagnosis and Treatment
The results suggest that the current classification of psychological disorders, primarily based on behavioral symptom observation, may be limited as it does not reflect the true biological differences among patients.
Researchers propose adopting a diagnostic and treatment approach based on shared genetic patterns, which could contribute to developing more precise and effective treatments targeting the same biological mechanisms rather than treating each disorder as a separate case.
Despite the study's significance, researchers point out that most genetic samples came from individuals of European descent, suggesting a need to broaden future studies to include a wider genetic diversity, allowing the results to be generalized to various population groups.
Additionally, researchers emphasize that genes are not the sole factor in the development of psychological disorders; they interact with environmental, psychological, and social factors such as stress, life experiences, and psychological traumas to determine health risk levels.
This study represents an unprecedented step towards understanding the genetic structure of psychological disorders, and experts believe it might pave the way for updating future editions of the diagnostic manual for psychological disorders, potentially reshaping the foundations of psychiatry in the coming years.
