New study sheds light on the role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in mental health conditions. According to recent research, HERVs are remnants of viral genes that have been inserted into human DNA millions of years ago. These viral genes may play a role in the development of mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Retroviruses are a group of viruses that insert their genetic information into the DNA of their host during their life cycle. When remnants of these viral genes are found in the DNA of humans, they are known as HERVs. While HERVs were previously thought to be dormant “fossil viruses”, recent studies suggest that some of these viral genes may remain active and could be linked to neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis.
In a new study conducted by Timothy Powell and his team at King’s College London, researchers examined nearly 800 brain samples donated for medical research to investigate the role of HERVs in mental health conditions. They found that certain genetic variants known to increase the risk of depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder were associated with altered activity of genes from different HERVs. While the exact extent of the increased risk due to the altered viral gene activity is unclear, it is likely to be a few percent.
The findings suggest that the activity of HERVs may serve as markers for these mental health conditions. However, further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms behind this association and whether altered HERV activity causes these mental health conditions or if it is a consequence of them. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential link between HERVs and mental health disorders and highlights the need for further investigation into this area.