Depressed
workers may be genetically programmed to falter when things go wrong, claims
new research.
Scientists
at King’s College London have discovered a gene that determines whether or not
people will become stressed during traumatic events.
The
study focused on two types of a gene called 5-HTT, which regulates Serotonin –
the brain’s ‘mood’ chemical. The gene comes in long and short versions and
people have two copies, inherited from each of their parents.
The
research found people with the short gene were left vulnerable to stress, while
those with the long gene were better able to cope with adverse circumstances.
Professor
Terry Moffitt said that further research could lead to a depression
vulnerability test.
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