Scientists find genetic link between depression and stomach ulcers

Scientists at the University of Queensland have found a link between genes, depression, and stomach ulcers in the world's largest study of the genetic factors of stomach ulcers, News-medical.net reported.

Stress has long been considered the main cause of peptic ulcer disease, until Nobel Prize winners - Barry Marshall and Robin Warren - linked it to H. pylori bacteria.

Observations have shown that in some patients, gastrointestinal symptoms improved after psychotherapy. Genes can shed light on the link between stress, peptic ulcer disease, and bacterial infection.

In the latest study, scientists examined data from 456,327 patients and identified 8 genetic variations linked to the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease. 6 out of 8 may explain why some people are more prone to H. pylori infection, making them more susceptible to stomach ulcers.

Current treatments for peptic ulcer disease target a gene associated with one of these genetic variations, and therefore identifying other target genes could present new treatments. Experts are calling for genetic risk assessment as part of screening programs.

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