First Gene That Can Directly Spark Mental Illness—And May Be Treatable
We are aware of physical symptoms. We know that if we have symptoms of fever or pain, we have to go toward a doctor. But when it comes to a mental illness then we don’t know, about the symptoms by which we can identify mental illness.
Because of unawareness; treatment gets delayed and these symptoms increase. Genetics plays an important role in heritance of these diseases i.e. if any of your ancestors is suffering from mental illness; chances of getting down to future generations will increase.
Recent research findings indicate that GRIN2A is that gene which on its own or its variants also are responsible for mental illness. This finding opposes previous finding of polygenic gene i.e. mental illness happen when two or more different genes working together.
The GRIN2A gene is located on chromosome 16 and provides instructions to make GluN2A protein; which is a subunit of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor.
NMDA receptor is a key receptor help in communication between brain cells. It plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity, memory functions and cognitive processes.
In psychotic disorders NMDA receptor become less effective in passing signals; because of mutations on GRIN2A gene. People have variant of this gene can show symptoms of epilepsy or intellectual disability also.
How GRIN2A Affects Brain Signalling and a Possible Treatment Approach
In this study, L –serine is given to psychotic patients. It is an amino acid; which is used to treat patients with specific GRIN2A gene, to overcome loss of functional mutations of GRIN2A gene and it also helps to boost NMDA receptor activity in patients with GRIN2A related disorders.
In an early treatment effort, when some patients consumed L-serine-- a dietary supplement; they experienced noticeable improvements in psychiatric symptoms.
Study Source: GRIN2A null variants confer a high risk for early-onset schizophrenia and other mental disorders and potentially enable precision therapy. Molecular Psychiatry, 2025; DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03279-4
My Takeaways
Mental illness is a serious problem. Patients often live almost their entire lives with the disease, suffering from loneliness and dependency on psychotic medications that provide only symptomatic relief.
More research should be conducted on genetic architecture. In this way, patients could finally get rid of these diseases and prevent them from being passed down to future generations.
How to reduce genetic inheritance of mental disorders?
MBH/PS