Wender: Biological Expalnations Of Depression

Question 1

Participants

Answer 1

Adoptive and biological relatives of 71 adult adoptees (mean age 43.7) - mood disorder

And 71 adult adoptees (mean age 44) psychologically normal

Removed from mothers at early age

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To investigate the contribution of genetic and environment factors in the aetiology of mood disorders

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

Psychiatric analysis of relatives who had been Diagnosed by independent blind psychologists

Question 4

Results

Answer 4

8 fold increasing in unipolar depression among the biological relatives of the adults

15 fold increase in suicide among Biological relatives of adopted adults

Question 5

Conclusions

Answer 5

There is a significant genetic link between unipolar depression and suicide

Question 6

Background

Answer 6

Assumes we have genetic vulnerability to depression and various neurotransmitters play a role in depression

3 neuro transmitters : noradrenaline (Arousal), serotonin (reduces arousal), dopamine

Kety- assumed depressives lacked serotonin