Childhood Disorders: Is There a Downside?

Rupali Jeswal (Ph.D candidate)

2/29/2008 11:33:07 AM

Judy Rapoport states about “overdiagnosis” and that errors may lead to potential stigmatization,which is very much possible. Reading this article, I was wondering if it is at all possible for us to go backwards to the embryonic roots. For example, to have mothers go through a saliva test upon their intial vist to OB/GYN to check for the short form of 5-HTTLPR gene on chromosome 15 and to check PRODH and COMPT genes of chromosome 22 for microdeletion for example, and establish if they are predisposed to depression and anxiety disorders as in the case of the short form of 5-HTTLPR and risk factor involved with microdeletion in PRODH and COMPT for schizophrenia. Once this was established, interventions could be made with the support of the family during the mother's pregnancy so as not to cause distress in the fetal HPA-axis.

If there was a way to measure the elevated basal levels of cortisol in the fetal HPA-axis, could we control the conditions? As genes are not destiny, wouldn't we be able to change the course of "preventions" and could we not prevent "false epidemics"? Atleast in regards to depression and anxiety disorders. If predisposed, and if given the right environment in and out of the womb, then won't it be possible to override the predispositon?