A New Link Between Virus and Depression
A Japanese research team has uncovered a potential link between a common virus and the development of depression later in life. This finding challenges the long-held belief that depression is primarily caused by inherited genes.
The team, from the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, focused their research on the human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6), which causes a childhood illness known as exanthema subitum. While most people are infected with HHV6 during infancy and carry the virus throughout their lives, the researchers discovered that a specific protein produced by the virus, SITH1, may play a role in triggering depression.
Their findings, published in a US science journal, suggest that individuals infected with a type of HHV6 that readily produces SITH1 are more likely to develop depression than those infected with a type that produces the protein less easily. This link was further supported by the observation that a higher percentage of patients with depression were infected with the high-producing type of the virus compared to healthy individuals.
The research team also conducted experiments on mice, demonstrating that HHV6 reinfection of brain cells can contribute to the development of depression. This finding provides further evidence for the virus's potential role in the condition.
While genetic factors have long been considered the primary cause of depression, this research suggests that the virus transmitted from mothers to infants may also play a significant role. This opens up new avenues for understanding and potentially preventing depression.
Professor Kazuhiro Kondo, a member of the research team, emphasizes the importance of uncovering the mechanism behind this link. "When we uncover the mechanism, we can also find solutions," he states. This research paves the way for further investigation into the complex relationship between viruses and mental health, potentially leading to new treatment and prevention strategies for depression.