The same study found that if people had a different gene variant, they were more likely to go through such events without experiencing major depression. This study was widely accepted and became the basis of a belief that depression is an organic disorder that can be treated through medication.
Now a new study reports having found "no evidence of an association between the serotonin gene and depression," even if a person experiences a traumatic event. The new study, led by Dr. Neil Risch and Dr. Kathleen Merikangas, is an analysis of 14 previous studies.
In their report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Drs. Risch and Merikangas indicated that they believe that the old study had flaws. They also wrote that the old study was widely accepted before it was widely duplicated.
Labels: depression, research, genetics
Posted By: Aspen/CRC