Customer Reviews

Mood Genes: Hunting for Origins of Mania and Depression (Oxford Paperbacks)

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A well written, easy to read examination of the research being undertaken to discover the biological underpinnings of bipolar disorder (manic depression). Interwoven with the description of cutting edge research there are also some historical perspectives on the evolution of the field of psychiatric genetics. Interspersed examples add a human element to the story. All in all, a good representation of current research that should appeal to anyone interested in mental illness in general, and manic depression in particular

Although many science books are well readable, there are few that you cannot put down; this however is one of them. In very clear language it is explained what it means when mania or depression runs in your family. Besides that it is exciting to read about scientists that are searching for the origins of these diseases. This is a must read!

Absolutely one of the most fascinating books I've ever read. Entirely honest. Very even-handed about the history and current state of affairs in this field. I come from a family riddled with some sort of mental dilemma(probably manic-depressive) including most recently two adolescent sons. All have been remarkably successful, but devilish all the way. I hold out hope for my sons, but see little progress while they wear myself and ex-wife to a frazzle. What a vast wealth of knowledge Dr. Barondes shares with us. I read this book cover to cover on Thanksgiving Day. I recommend it to anyone, whether your family has mental illness or not.

I am a graduate student studying neurobiology who is very intersted in human behavioral genetics for my postdoc training, especially neuropsychiatric disoders (schizophrenia, bipolar disoder, major depression, and etc). Recent molecular genetics techniques start finding many promising susceptible genes for many diseases of complex genetic traits. The book does not have a lot of sophiscated intellectual content that some might want from it, but if you read it, you will get some idea about how human genetists apporach and what's going on in this research field in part without looking for original scientific articles.

Actually, one of the people who were mentioned in the book, Dr. Nelson Freimer (neuropsychiatric institute in UCLA, he moved from Standford where He had worked with the author) is one who narrowed down to the 331kb region via human linkage analysis of bipolar mood disorder in the Costa Rican population (PNAS 2001 98(20):11485-90).

Just FYI, one gene (mutation or polymorphism, whichever you name it) has been recently reported (by Whitehead/MIT genome research SNP group) to be involved in bipolar disorder via association study (Val66Met of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor; Mol. Psychiatry 7 : 579-593, 2002) and NIMH group just published a functional MRI paper examining the difference in the brain activity of people who do have BDNF gene of either Val66 or Met66 (Cell 112(2):257-69, 2003).
Since about 14 chromosomal loci have been reported to be linked to bipolar disorders, I have no doubt that more fascinating data will show up in near future.

Best and most delightfully clear presentation of genetics and the potential for understanding our moods that I've ever read. If I taught a college course in Psychology, I would start by having my students read this engaging book!

Best and most delightfully clear presentation of genetics and the potential for understanding our moods that I've ever read. If I taught a college course in Psychology, I would start by having my students read this engaging book!

Despite the fact that no gene has ever been identified as a cause of Bipolar Disorder (or any other mental illness), the myth continues that this is a genetic disorder. Instead, you get a series of poorly designed gene linkage studies that are never successfully repeated, although printed as fact in large national newpapers after newsconferences by overexuberant, tenure-seeking scientists. Show me the money (or the gene)! The idea that we are genetic robots is a myth created by scientists who want to believe that human nature, including great art can be reduced to genes. The notion is absurd and, in my opinion, dangerous. I don't have to go too far back in history to support my opinion.