Are there depression and anxiety genetic markers and mutations? A systematic review

Background: Genetic factors may encourage or even cause the occurrence of mood disorders such as anxiety and/or depression. However, despite the significant amount of work and sophisticated technology is not fully elucidated which genes or regions of nuclear or mitochondrial DNA, or which types of genetic changes, alone or in combination, can represent reliable genetic markers of anxiety and/or depression. Objective: To identify whether there are genetic changes that can cause depression or anxiety and if there are genetic markers that can be used to detect these changes. Methods: A systematic review of 01.012004 to 0328 2014 was held by VHL (Virtual Health Library). The search was performed with the descriptors anxiety, depression, mutation and genetic markers. The selected articles were indexed in MEDLINE. The information pertinent to the study was selected, categorized and analyzed. Of the 374 articles found, 29 met the eligibility criteria. Results: FMR1 gene polymorphisms, dopaminergic (DAT, DRD, COMT), serotonin (5-HTTLPR, HTR1A, EITR2A), interleukins, MCR1, HCN (potassium channel), neurorregulinas, GABAergic (GABA, GAD, DBI) DBI, GABA (Gabra) receptors and GAD genes (GAD1, GAD2) appear to contribute to generate condition of depression or anxiety like. Mutations in mitochonclrial DNA in 124pb allele of D252944 in oil 1 and 2 loci of chromosomes 4 and 7, respectively, and the chromosomes 8p, 17p and 15q appear to be associated with the origin of depression or anxiety. Conclusion: Some studies show only associations with one of the disorders, mainly anxiety. Few have shown association with both simultaneously. Other studies showed specific association of gender, or even specific ethnic groups, It was noticed, controversies over certain markers. Interesting results were observed in combination of changes, especially in cases of SNPs, indicating that perhaps this is the most appropriate way to find reliable markers. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.