Truly mentally ill
Ashkenazis at risk for mental illness
By : Zak Edwards
Published : November 26th, 2013 in Health »
World
A study published in New Communications has
found the gene that predisposes Ashkenazi Jews
to various mental illnesses, including
schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and
bipolar disorder, according to an article in
Haaretz.
The study, which saw over 25 000 Ashkenazi
Jews submit DNA samples for testing, has
located a variation on the DNST3 gene that raises
the likelihood of suffering from these illnesses to
40%, compared to the general average of 15%.
The study was conducted as a joint effort
between the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and
Dr. Todd Lencz from The Feinstein Institute for
Medical Research in New York, reports the
Algemeiner .
Dr. Todd Lencz from the Feinstein Institute and
the associate dean of Life Sciences at Hebrew
University, Ariel Darvasi, performed the experiment
and wrote the paper together.
Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and
bipolar disorder are all debilitating illnesses that
can result in severe symptoms for those suffering,
including paranoia, uncontrolled mood changes,
and even hallucinations.