is there a common genetic link between heart disease and depression?

Depression is associated with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms of interaction are not elucidated. As the origin of both disorders is genetically influenced, researchers in Munich, Germany have investigated variants of two genes, which are known to influence the development of cardiovascular and depressive disease. The analysis showed that the same allelic combination of genes, which was proposed as predisposing factor for myocardial infarction, was also more frequent in depressive patients.

Contact: Aimee Midei
molecularpsychiatry@mednet.ucla.edu
310-206-6739
Molecular Psychiatry

Message posted by: Wouter Kalle