Links between personality trait and depression

Scientists analysed the DNA of over 300,000 people and found many genes linked to neuroticism- characterised by feelings of anxiety, worry and guilt. The genes are also linked to depression. The findings shed light on the causes of depression-which affects one in five people and could provide information to help better diagnosis and treatment for individuals.

Researchers analysed genetic information from a group of people aged from 39 to 73, whose levels of neuroticism had been measured by a personality questionnaire. DNA analysis combined with the personality data uncovered 116 gene variations linked to neuroticism.

Researchers from the University found that genes associated with neuroticism had some overlap with genes linked to a susceptibility to depression and some other psychiatric conditions. More than half of the genetic variations associated with neuroticism are expressed in the brain.
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Neuroticism may postpone death

Having higher levels of trait of the neuroticism may reduce the risk of death for those that hav poor health. An aspect of neuroticism related to worry and feelings of vulnerability was associated with lower mortality, irrespective of state of health.

Being high in neuroticism may sometimes have a protective effect, perhaps by making people more vigilant about their health. People with high levels of neuroticism may experience negative emotions like irritability, frustration, nervousness, worry, and guilt compared with those who have lower levels of neuroticism.

 The link between neuroticism and risk of death may depend on how people rate their health. The protective effect was present in people who rated their health very low or does not really care about what will happen to their health.

Behaviors like smoking, exercise, diet and alcohol consumption did not have any link with vulnerability and mortality risk. Worry and vulnerability to sicknesses and diseases might encourage people to behave in a healthier way and hence lower their risk of sudden death.
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Anorexia could be genetic

Anorexia is an eating disorder that makes  people to lose more weight than is considered healthy for their age and height.

People with this disorder are afraid of gaining weight, even when they are underweight. They may diet, exercise or use different methods to lose weight.

The study included genome-wide analysis of DNA from 3,495 individuals with anorexia nervosa and 10,982 unaffected individuals.

If particular genetic variations are significantly more frequent in people with a disorder compared to unaffected people, the variations are said to be related with the disorder.

Associated genetic variations can serve as powerful pointers to regions of the human genome where disorder-causing problems reside, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Genome-wide significant locus for anorexia nervosa on chromosome 12, in a region previously shown to be associated with type 1 diabetes and autoimmune disorders.

Anorexia nervosa was significantly genetically correlated with neuroticism and schizophrenia. There is strong
genetic correlations with various metabolic features including body composition (BMI) and insulin-glucose metabolism.