(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, July 19 (Korea Bizwire) — People with depression are more likely to exhibit increased gene expression associated with inflammation, a research showed Tuesday.
A joint research team from Korea University, Konkuk University, and Handong Global University has confirmed that animals exhibiting depressive behavior show an increased expression of genes associated with inflammation control.
Based on these findings, the research team analyzed genetic data from 350 individuals with depression and 161 individuals without depression, aged between 19 and 64, and monitored genetic changes.
The results indicated that, similar to the animal study, individuals with depression exhibited a higher expression of genes related to inflammation control compared to those without depression.
The research team stated that DNA methylation is responsible for blocking and controlling genetic expression, and it is influenced by the surrounding environment.
In the case of a methylation disorder, the expression level of genes associated with inflammation increases, exacerbating inflammation in both the brain and the body.
This, in turn, triggers a structural disorder in the frontal lobe of the brain, which governs emotional control and leads to depression.
Elevated levels of DNA methylation in genes related to inflammation were found to be associated with a thinner cerebral cortex in the frontal lobe.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
