Posted by jrbecker on June 16, 2003, at 12:44:54
In reply to Re: Scientists Say they ID the Depression Gene » Ame Sans Vie, posted by Larry Hoover on June 16, 2003, at 10:53:37
There's no doubt that the genetic underpinnings of bipolar disorder are multidimensional, so the news of this discovery should be taken with a grain of salt. However, I do think the GRK link does have some clout to it. G-protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK-3) is largely responsible for modulation of dopamine activity. GRK-3 dysfunction might partially explain why cycling causes such drastic mood changes, and furthermore, why many bipolars are much more sensitive to dopaminergic meds than their unipolar counterparts. Other kinases have been theorized to play a similar role in BPD, including glycogen-synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3beta) -- also implicated in Alzheimer's and diabetes; as well as protein kinase C (PKC).
By the way, John Kelsoe's BPD genetic research is very highly respected in the field, so it's not like this info's coming out of left field. THe GRK-3 research has been building for a while now...
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/fitness.htm
poster:jrbecker
thread:234222
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030614/msgs/234343.html