Moving towards the Genetics of Resiliance and Happiness

In my lab we work with a particular rat strain called the Wistar-Kyoto. These poor guys and gals are essentially the 'emo-kids' of rodents. They're anxious, overly suceptible to stress, and tend to fall into depressive ruts of immobility, weight loss, and decreased seeking of reward. In the past few years, there's been some good research on identifying the genetic basis of their condition. Even in humans we know that a common genetic mutation in the serotonin transporter can make people more neurotic and prone to depression (this gene has been appropriately dubbed the "Woody Allen Gene").

But with all the research on the genetics of poor mental health, what about the flip side? Are there any genes that tend to make people, to use our favorite Peter Kramer phrase, "better than well"?

Well sort of...

A collaboration of researchers from Canada, France, and China recently discovered that by deleting the Trek-1 gene, mice become depression resistant. They show less exaggerated hormonal responses to stress and are overall happier rodents. Interestingly, Prozac seems to work on inhibiting the protein made by Trek-1, allowing more efficient serotonin transmission.

Even if a future of genetically engineered humans without the Trek-1 gene isn't on the horizon, such a finding will hopefully lead to more specific and effective therapies.

References:
PMID: 16906152 and 15685212