A Virus May Be a Trigger for Depression, Study Finds
A Japanese research team has discovered a potential link between a common virus and the development of depression later in life. This finding could pave the way for new strategies to prevent and treat this debilitating mental health condition.
The team, from the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, focused their investigation on the human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6), which causes a mild childhood illness known as exanthema subitum. While most people are infected with HHV6 during infancy and carry the virus throughout their lives, the researchers found that certain individuals may be more susceptible to its effects.
Their previous research identified a protein produced by HHV6, called SITH1, that plays a role in the development of depression. When individuals with the virus experience stress or illness, HHV6 can become reactivated and spread to the brain, leading to the production of SITH1.
one that readily produces the protein and another that does so with difficulty. They found that a significantly higher proportion of patients with depression were infected with the type that easily produces SITH1 compared to healthy individuals.
This suggests that the specific type of HHV6 a person is infected with may influence their risk of developing depression. Additionally, the researchers found that among patients with the high-producing type of the virus, those with a family history of depression were even more likely to experience the condition themselves.
These findings highlight the potential role of HHV6 in the development of depression, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition. While further research is needed to confirm this link and develop targeted interventions, this discovery opens new avenues for understanding and addressing this complex mental health issue.