Genetic Disorders: A Case Study

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In addition to understanding diagnostic criteria and prevalence rates, mental health practitioners should also be aware of the etiological components of MDD. Pearson, Palmer, Brick, Mcgeary, Knopik and Beevers (2016) stated that MDD is phenotypically diverse and genetically complex. Therefore, it is important to consider multiple etiological factors, i.e., biologic, genetic, and psychosocial. Researchers have identified norepinephrine and serotonin as the most closely associated biogenic amines to MDD and other mood disorders (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Sadock, Kaplan, and Sadock (2007) stated that norepinephrine’s role in depression may be a result of activation of certain presynaptic adrenergic receptors, which decrease the amount …show more content…

Multiple gene studies have found evidence of associations to the locus for cAMP Response-Element Binding Protein on chromosome two (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). In addition, family studies have indicated a positive correlation between the likelihood of developing depression and the number of family members with depression (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Therefore, it can be deducted that genetics play a significant role in the etiology of depression. That being said, there may be psychosocial aspects behind depression as well. Sadock, Kaplan, and Sadock (2007) stated that stressful events or stimuli often precede episodes of MDD and other mood disorders. Specific events positively correlated to depression include the loss of a parent, spouse, or unemployment (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Again, leading etiologic theories behind depression included biologic, genetic, and psychosocial factors. An adequate understanding of these factors may assist practitioners to PUT SOMETHING …show more content…

To examine MDD prognosis Bousman, Potiriadis, Everall, and Gunn (2013) tested the potential effects that two methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genetic variants (677CC and 677TT), had on MDD prognosis over a five-year span. Prognosis was evaluated by DSM-IV criteria, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The measures were assessed on the patients every 12 months, for 5 years (Bousman, Potiriadis, Everall, & Gunn, 2013). Bousman et al. (2013) found that severity of MDD symptoms at follow-up evaluations were significantly worse in 677CC genotype carriers compared to 677TT genotype carriers. Specifically, PHQ-9 follow-up sessions revealed that the 677CC genotype carriers scored an average of 11 compared to an average of 7 for 677TT carriers (Bousman et al., 2013). Scores greater than 10 on the PHQ-9 had an 88% sensitivity rate for major depression (Jansen, 2016). Bousman et al.’s (2013) results indicated that 677CC genotype carriers who have been diagnosed with MDD may have a worse prognosis than individuals who are not carriers. Bousman et al.’s (2013) findings served as a foundational component to better understand MDD biologic prognostic

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