Could a Methyl Group Predict Your Risk of Depression?

Authors

  • Alice Nykolay
  • Aiman Shahid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15173/sciential.v1i4.2406

Keywords:

MDD, Epigenetics, Biomarker, Serotonin

Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a systemic condition that diminishes the daily quality of life of those affected. There are no current methods that can reliably diagnose depression on a biochemical level. The premise of this work is to report on a potential biochemical marker, DNA methylation of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT). This biochemical marker can serve as an indicator of gene expression patterns, ultimately leading to a neurochemical imbalance in affected individuals. Studying this biomarker has the potential to improve diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in the future, and improve the prognosis of those with MDD.

Sciential Issue 4 Cover Page

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Published

2020-03-31

How to Cite

Nykolay, A., & Shahid, A. (2020). Could a Methyl Group Predict Your Risk of Depression?. Sciential - McMaster Undergraduate Science Journal, 1(4), 31–32. https://doi.org/10.15173/sciential.v1i4.2406

Issue

No. 4 (2020): Sciential Issue 4

Section

News and Views

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