University of California in San Francisco showed that people with a large depressive disorder (BDR) observes a high level of epigenetic changes in DNA. This contributes to more rapid cell aging and high risk of premature death. This is reported in an article published in Translational Psychiatry magazine.
Researchers analyzed the blood samples of people with dumplings (49 people) to determine the level of methylation – the addition of methyl groups to certain DNA sites, which affects the activity of genes. DNA methylation varies with age, so it can be used to identify human biological age. Methylation patterns in people with DBDs assumed that their cellular age was average above compared to healthy people from the control group (it included 60 people).
The risk of death was measured using a Grimage mathematical algorithm that determines the remaining life expectancy. It turned out that it is higher in people with a DAM, than people of the same age without depressive disorder.
Persons with dumplings were not observed external age pathology. However, methylation patterns associated with the risk of death have remained even after taking into account such lifestyle factors as smoking and overweight.
According to WHO, about 300 million people (4.4 percent of the population) suffer from one or another form of depression. BDR is associated with a higher mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.