Researchers Explore Physiological Roots of Mental and Cognitive Disorders

For millennia, people suffering from mental illness were often looked down upon and scorned by the larger community. It was long believed that these neurological, emotional, and cognitive disorders were a sign of evil, moral weakness, or even demonic possession.

Unfortunately, many of these misguided beliefs persisted well into the twentieth century. It has only been in the last several decades that researchers have begun to uncover the physical, physiological, and environmental factors that can contribute to many mental illnesses and cognitive disorders. Today, it is widely understood that many of these disorders are organic illnesses that result from chemical imbalances or other health problems.

Research into the physiological causes of mental illness and cognitive disorders has been very active in the last several decades. This week, we?ll review some of the most significant recent findings that have emerged from scholarly journals and research institutions around the world.

Study Reveals Roots of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder May Be Found in Brain

In recent decades, diagnoses of ADD and ADHD have skyrocketed. This trend has prompted some criticism and controversy, including widespread skepticism and disbelief of the validity of these conditions. Many critics of these diagnoses have called their very existence into question.

However, evidence drawn from a recent study may prove that ADHD has neurological roots, indicating that the disorder is, in fact, a biological reality. Scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health recently analyzed a large cross-section of patients diagnosed with ADHD. According to their findings, there are a number of significant neurological differences in the brains of ADHD patients.

Two chief differences were identified in the brains of ADHD patients. The first difference centered on a genetic variation in the area of the brain designed to regulate the body?s intake of the compound known as dopamine. Patients who were found to have this genetic quirk had a much higher risk of developing ADHD.

Secondly, it was found that patients diagnosed with ADHD typically had much lower dopamine levels than did their non-ADHD counterparts. Taken together, both of these findings make a strong case for the argument that these common attention disorders do have biological roots in the body.

Scientists Uncover Genetic Risk for Mental Illness

The 'nature versus nurture' debate over the source of personality and mental health has raged for centuries, but the findings of a recent international study indicates that genetics may indeed play a significant factor in severe mental illnesses.

A large-scale study administered by the Wellcome Trust for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford in England involved researchers at more than 20 institutions around the world. The cross-disciplinary team evaluated the genetic material of a large variety of mentally ill and non-mentally ill individuals.

According to the team's findings, variations in the gene LRRTM1 were linked to a greater risk of developing several severe mental illnesses, including psychosis and schizophrenia. Interestingly enough, the same genetic variations were also linked to left-handedness. The researchers reported that the genetic variation caused differences in brain function that were fundamentally similar.

Chronic Inflammation and Heart Disease Linked to Depression, Anger, and Hostility in Men

Researchers found that men who tended to display higher-than-average levels of mental health problems such as depression, anger, and hostility were also at greater risk for health problems such as chronic inflammation, according to a study conducted at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

The study also suggests that without proper intervention and treatment, this type of chronic inflammation could lead to serious and even fatal illnesses, such as heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, and diabetes.

While the link appeared to be statistically significant, the researchers indicated that more research would be necessary to identify the precise nature of the relationship between emotional problems and disease. In the interim, they recommend that people at high risk for depression, anger, and hostility practice stress reduction methods designed to help control their symptoms.

If you have questions or concerns about the link between mental and physical health, talk to your doctor or licensed mental health professional. Be sure to check back each week for the health science news you need to enhance your lifestyle.