| Research into manic depression, more | | | | could be classified as risk taking and |
| formally called bipolar disorder, has | | | | less behavior traits that could be |
| been hindered, according to many in the | | | | called despair-type behavior. These |
| scientific community due to the lack of | | | | mice without the GluR6 also displayed |
| animal models upon which to base | | | | more aggressive behavior, another |
| studies. | | | | character trait of a manic episode of |
| Until now that is. Scientists have been | | | | manic depression. |
| able to create a genetically engineered | | | | The scientists also administered |
| defect in a specific gene which may play | | | | biochemical tests on these mice, the |
| a leading role in causing mood | | | | results of which suggested that the |
| disorders, like manic depression. The | | | | GluR6 gene may also play a unique role |
| gene is known as glutamate receptor 6 - | | | | in actually regulating some of the |
| referred to as GluR6 - and has long been | | | | symptoms of mania. |
| associated with manic depression. | | | | Now that researchers have genetically |
| Scientists knew that the gene was | | | | engineered this type of laboratory |
| related to manic depression but were | | | | mouse, they'll be better able to study |
| unsure of the exact mechanism. Not only | | | | manic depression. This study also opens |
| that, but the gene encoding for the | | | | the door for further studies that may |
| GluR6 receptor has not only been linked | | | | very well lead to new treatments. |
| to manic depression, but also to the | | | | Manic depression is a mental health |
| tendency of some individuals to consider | | | | disorder characterized by erratic swings |
| suicide while taking antidepressant | | | | in mood. Individuals with this health |
| drugs in a separate pharmacogenetic | | | | issue, most recently renamed bipolar |
| study. | | | | disorder, are subject not only to |
| Interestingly enough, individuals who | | | | depression, but also episodes of mania. |
| suffer with manic depression are the | | | | These manic episodes involve high energy |
| most susceptible to | | | | expenditure, sleeplessness for several |
| antidepressant-induced states of | | | | days sometimes, as well as rapid speech, |
| restlessness. | | | | racing thoughts and feelings of |
| In the new study, scientists utilized | | | | grandiosity. Those individuals |
| mice to further examine the issue. The | | | | experiencing a manic episode may also |
| scientists used mice with the GluR6 gene | | | | display psychotic behavior, such as |
| missing, comparing them to a control | | | | hallucinations. |
| group of mice who had the gene. | | | | Several mood stabilizing drugs are |
| Both groups of mice underwent a series | | | | currently available for the treatment of |
| of tests specifically created to imitate | | | | manic depression. Individuals with |
| the symptoms of manic episode of manic | | | | manic depression are also encouraged to |
| depression. The researchers discovered | | | | take a series of behavioral therapy as |
| that the mice with the Glu6R gene | | | | well. |
| missing displayed many of the symptoms | | | | For more resources regarding bipolar or |
| of mania. | | | | even about symptom of bipolar disorder |
| Not only were these mice more active in | | | | and especially about bipolar medication |
| several tests, they also displayed more | | | | please review these pages. |
| anxiety and more behavior traits that | | | | |