another interesting article..
I’m not surprised by the findings and would agree with them, particularly what is said about Asian people – although I feel that cultural differences may also play a part. IME Asian people tend to worry more about stuff anyway, and also have high expectations of themselves and their family members; this is bound to increase stress levels somewhat, particularly if they have other “lifestyle choices” that are on the fringe of society; guilt and inner conflict can easily make you depressed….
OTOH I no longer get bad comedowns from anything these days and can easily work round them; perhaps its merely a case of “less is more!” (and I have always thought the indication of SSRIs to “cure” post-pill depression is a bad idea….)
[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Ecstasy effects ruled by genes
[/font][font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Anushka Asthana and Robin McKie
[/font][font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Sunday March 20, 2005
[/font][font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Observer
[/font][font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Clubbers who plunge from the highs of ecstasy use to the depths of depression may have had their fate sealed by their genes. [/font][font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Scientists at Cambridge University have found that some people’s genetic make-up renders them significantly more likely than others to suffer severe side-effects after taking the drug. [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]And the study – published in the American Journal of Psychiatry – also reveals this susceptibility varies considerably according to ethnic background. One in five Caucasians are particularly vulnerable, compared with one in two Asians, who are particularly at risk. Among people of African origin, only one in 20 is affected. [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]‘Our study shows there are striking variations in the ways people react to ecstasy,’ the project leader Jon Roiser told The Observer. [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]The Cambridge study examined the serotonin transporter gene, which controls the production of a key brain protein that affects mood and emotion and whose function is affected by the taking of ecstasy. The team found this gene comes in two versions, a short and a long. Those who have the short ‘S-version’ are more vulnerable to the effects of ecstasy. In particular, they are much more likely to become depressed. [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Those who inherit two S-version genes, one from each parent, are especially vulnerable to depression. In their tests, the Cambridge group compared 66 regular ecstasy users with a control group of 58 non-users and found that ‘double-S’ ecstasy users were far more likely to report mild or serious depression. Some reported having suicidal thoughts. [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Importantly, it has also been found that double-S users respond poorly to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). ‘Our work suggests we should think twice about giving ecstasy users SSRIs to alleviate their depression,’ added Roiser. [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]The research is also significant because it suggests that within a decade technology could be developed to allow an ecstasy taker to discover his or her vulnerability. [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]‘At the moment it is a bit like Russian roulette,’ said Professor Barbara Sahakian, a co-author of the paper. ‘But in future people could know what drugs are compatible with their make-up.’ [/font]
[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005[/font]
