Implications of CACNA1C gene mutations and irregular calcium levels as potential biomarkers for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder
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Abstract
There is a prevalent mental health epidemic in the United States (U.S.). As of 2023, it is estimated that over 21% of adults are living with a mental illness.1 This is an increase from 19.86% of adults in 2022 and 18% of adults just 5 years earlier in 2018.2-3 With the rise in cases of mental illnesses comes an urgent need to study major factors that can lead to them. These factors can be genetic, environmental, socioeconomic, or a combination of the three.Some of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders are Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder (BPD), and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).4 One of several genetic factors that may be associated with these three mental illnesses is a mutation in the Calcium Voltage-Gated Channel Subunit Alpha 1c (CACNA1C) gene. This gene is important for several mechanisms in the body, notably neuronal processes that involve memory, nerve signal transmission, and fear response.5 Though there are multiple genes, hormones, and signals responsible for these functions, past studies have isolated this gene in an attempt to gain a detailed understanding of its role, which is not yet completely clear to researchers. It has been shown that the altered calcium ion (Ca2+) activity and levels due to mutations of the CACNA1C gene impacted neuronal survival and therefore efficacy in processes relating to maintaining proper chemical and electrical levels in the brain.6 With this, one can become more susceptible to developing a mental illness like Schizophrenia, BPD, or MDD.
Environmental and socioeconomic factors tie into several biological factors to contribute to psychiatric illnesses. For example, repeated negative social exposure, especially as a child, predisposes one to developing a mental illness. Plus, burdens of low socioeconomic status and racial disparities contribute as well. Studying all of these factors individually is a difficult feat, which is why studies breaking down the mechanisms of the CACNA1C gene and its impact on developing Schizophrenia, BPD, and MDD are important to add to the existing information about the development of these illnesses.
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2024