[STUDY] Before Birth Genes Expression Could Lead To Depression, ADHD; Pregnancy Factors Now Investigated

A new study revealed that there's a before birth genes expression, which could increase the risk of depression, ADHD, and other mental illnesses.

Health experts already warned that childhood developmental disorders could have a life-long impact on people's lives.

Now, the latest study, conducted by researchers at the Mass General Center for Genomic Medicine, revealed that childhood developmental issues could emerge even before babies are born.

Before Birth Genes Expression Could Lead To Depression, ADHD

According to Interesting Engineering's latest report, the new study used the data from ABCD (Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development); a government-funded brain development initiative.

Using this data, MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) researchers discovered that there's a constellation of genes expressed in a fetus' brain while it is still in the womb.

They claim that this genes expression could lead to ADHD, depression, and other psychiatric conditions.

MGH's Early Brain Development Initiative Director Joshua Roffman said that the relationships they identified are more complex than recently thought.

"For example, genetic risk for ADHD and depression were associated with a range of symptoms in children, not just those related to attention or mood," added Roffman, who is also the co-senior author of the study.

The latest research about the before birth genes expression was published in the Nature Journal on May 18.

What Causes This Genes Expression?

As of writing, Mass General Center for Genomic Medicine researchers haven't found the main cause of the newly discovered before birth genes expression.

But, Roffman said that their team is already looking for other factors during pregnancy that could lead to the genes expression.

These include healthy lifestyle (sleep quality, diet, exercise, etc.), psychosocial support, as well as optimal prenatal care.

If you want to learn more about this new health study, you can click here.

In other news, health researchers revealed that cats with COVID-19 have the same variants as their owners.

We also reported about the recent study, which claimed that low vitamin D levels could increase the risk of COVID-19.

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