Utah People's Post

The Latest News from the Beehive State

Sunday, August 14, 2022
Log in
  • National News
    • Female Caseworker Killed & Doctor Shot in Philadelphia
  • State News
    • Car Chase Leads to Drug Arrest
  • Tech & Science
  • Health
    • How to Prepare For Ticks Season
    • Magical Weight Loss Bean Scam
  • Sports
  • Business
You are here: Home / Health / Psychiatric Disorders and Creativity Might Be Caused by the Same DNA Signature

Psychiatric Disorders and Creativity Might Be Caused by the Same DNA Signature

June 10, 2015 Posted by Emma Carter

alt="Left Brain Right Brain Creativity"

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, researchers explain the possible connection between some genetic elements responsible for creativity and some psychiatric disorders.

This could be a potential explanation for the fact that many artists across history may have had mental conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Researchers found that the same common genetic mutations that make people be more creative than others may also play a role in psychiatric illnesses.

More than 86,000 people from Iceland participated in the study, where researchers had the opportunity of analyzing and comparing their genetic material. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Those variants were then searched for in a 1,000 group of people who were participating in national societies of artists; these were members of societies for musicians, writers, actors, visual artists, and dancers.

All participants in this study presented a DNA signature associated to a doubled risk of schizophrenia and a one-third enhanced risk of bipolar disorder.

When comparing the artist’s data with the ones who did not have such creative inclinations, researchers observed that the first group had 17 percent more chances of having that genetic signature.

Lead study author Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE, a genomic analysis company, said the results did not surprise her. It is widely known that in order for a person to be creative, they have to think differently, or as we say, “outside the box.” That’s exactly what happens in the genetic material of artists.

Similar studies conducted in Sweden and the Netherlands also support the idea that people with artistic preoccupations have DNA signatures very different from the ones found in the general public, a fact that predisposes them to develop mental illnesses.

Stefansson explained that the genetic mutations which are responsible for increased risk of developing mental illnesses might be the very ones allowing people to be exceptionally creative. In other words, the dangerous genetic variations are the very ones providing the benefits.

However, some experts urge caution when it comes to assuming a direct genetic link between creativity and mental disorders. Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman from the University of Pennsylvania explained that genes can only explain portions of psychological traits.

There are more factors that contribute and influence a person’s creativity and proneness to schizophrenia, such as environmental conditions and individual and personal experiences. This study does not present a cause and effect scenario, but a statistical association.
Image Source: Marketing Land

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email

Filed Under: Health

mm

About Emma Carter

Emma is a Europe based writer who never imagined that one day she would be covering news from all around the world. She holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistic studies and her love for words drove her to journalism. Emma is dedicated to social issues and believes that writing about justice and equality is a good start in leaving her footprint behind.

Woman working out at the gym

Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time

June 29, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)

June 29, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

United Airlines airplane

Passenger Mysteriously Dies on United Airlines flight Bound for Boston

June 28, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Breakfast sandwich

Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat

June 27, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Poppy flower

UN Warns of Surge in Opium-based Drugs and Cocaine Supply

June 27, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

U.S.-Canada border

French Jogger Detained 2 Weeks for Accidentally Crossing Border

June 26, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Plus size model

Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

June 25, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Giant manta ray

Unique Manta Ray Nursery Spotted off Texas Coast

June 23, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

The rainbow flag

WHO Scraps Transgenderism from List of Mental Illnesses

June 22, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

456 People Dead at U.K. Hospital after Taking too Many Painkillers

June 21, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Kenyan girls dancing

Kenyans Facing Poor Nutrition as Supermarket Shopping Is on the Rise

June 20, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Pages

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy GDPR
  • Staff
  • Terms and Conditions

Recent Posts

  • Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time
  • Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)
  • Passenger Mysteriously Dies on United Airlines flight Bound for Boston
  • Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat
  • UN Warns of Surge in Opium-based Drugs and Cocaine Supply
  • French Jogger Detained 2 Weeks for Accidentally Crossing Border
  • Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

Related Articles

  • Woman working out at the gym

    Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time

    Jun 29, 2018
  • Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)

    Jun 29, 2018
  • Breakfast sandwich

    Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat

    Jun 27, 2018
  • Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

    Jun 25, 2018
  • The rainbow flag

    WHO Scraps Transgenderism from List of Mental Illnesses

    Jun 22, 2018
  • 456 People Dead at U.K. Hospital after Taking too Many Painkillers

    Jun 21, 2018
  • Young woman affected by depression

    If You Have PTSD You Were Likely Abused as a Child

    Jun 19, 2018
  • Obese dog on a leash

    Obese Dogs Can Help Us Better Understand How Obesity Works

    Jun 18, 2018
  • Our Brains Are Craving Combinations of Fats and Carbs (Study)

    Jun 15, 2018
  • Hungry bird with beck open

    Scientists Explain Why We Get ‘Hangry’

    Jun 13, 2018

Categories

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • National News
  • Nature
  • Provo
  • Salt Lake News
  • Science
  • Sports
  • State News
  • Tech & Science
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • West Jordan
  • West Valley City
  • World

Copyright © 2022 utahpeoplespost.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Site Map · Contact