Study Reveals First Gene Capable of Independently Causing Mental Illness

Study Reveals First Gene Capable of Independently Causing Mental Illness
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According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in seven people worldwide lived with a mental health condition in 2021, with anxiety and depression being most common, ScienceDaily reported. While mental illnesses are typically linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, new research suggests a single gene may independently trigger psychiatric disorders.

A team led by Professor Johannes Lemke, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Leipzig Medical Center, found that specific variants of the GRIN2A gene can directly cause mental illness. The study analyzed data from 121 individuals with GRIN2A mutations and discovered associations not only with schizophrenia but also with a broader range of psychiatric conditions.

Notably, these disorders often appeared in childhood or adolescence, earlier than is commonly seen. Researchers also observed that some individuals exhibited psychiatric symptoms alone, despite GRIN2A typically being linked to epilepsy or intellectual disability. Further analysis showed that certain GRIN2A variants reduce NMDA receptor function, affecting brain cell communication.

In collaboration with Dr. Steffen Syrbe of Heidelberg University Hospital, the team tested L-serine — a supplement that boosts NMDA receptor activity — and reported symptom improvements in early cases. The findings build on a long-term collaborative effort and an international GRIN2A patient registry established by Professor Lemke.