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Link between type 2 diabetes and mental health disorders, says study
Posted on: 08/Feb/2016 6:03:17 PM
According to a study published in the Faseb Journal, there is a genetic connection between type 2 diabetes and some mental health disorders. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts in the US.
The researchers have said that a gene called DISC1 influences the function of pancreatic beta cells. These cells produce insulin and help maintain blood glucose levels. The DISC1 gene plays an important role in mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and some forms of depression.
The researchers compared two groups of mice for the study. The first group was genetically manipulated to disrupt the DISC1 gene in the mouse`s pancreatic beta cells. The second group was kept normal. Results showed that the first group showed increased beta cell death, along with lower insulin secretion and impaired glucose regulations.
Say the researchers, Inhibition of GSK3ß resulted in improved beta cell survival and restored normal glucose tolerance in mice with disrupted DISC1. Our hope is that the association we`ve found linking disrupted DISC1 to both diabetes and psychiatric disorders may uncover mechanisms to improve therapies - even preventative ones - to alleviate suffering caused by both illnesses which are extraordinarily costly, very common, often quite debilitating.
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