Team members:

1. Trinh Thi Tuyet Mai

2. Nguyen Quynh Mai
3. Nguyen Le Thanh Nha
4. Nguyen Thi Ngan
5. Nguyen Trong Nhan
6. Le My Hoang Oanh
 1. DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?
2. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?
What is mental
illness?
Definition:
Mental illnesses are health
conditions involving changes
in emotion, thinking or
behavior (or a combination
of these). Mental illnesses
are associated with distress
and/or problems functioning
in social, work or family
activities.
So sad So happy
Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
Suicidal
thinking
Signs and symptoms:
• Feeling sad or down
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
• Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
• Suicidal thinking
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD)
Difference between a brain of depressed
person and a brain of normal person
 Difference between a brain of depressed
person and a brain of normal person
There is is not like not enough biological activities in the depressed
person’s brain because their brain doesn’t function the same way.

Þ And this is what most mental illness medication presents today.

Þ What it does is it usually focuses on the activity in the brain and
how to change it and force it to become more like the mental
health of a normal person’s brain.
Most mental illness’ medication today,
Most mental illness’ medication is SSRI - selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

What is the serotonin?

 Serotonin is also called 5-
hydroxytyptamine – or 5-HT.

As a neurotransmitter, serotonin sends messages between nerve cells in

the brain.
 Serotonin plays as an important molecule for influencing
mental health and brain function.
From the brain stem, there are over 20 known serotonergic
pathways all throughout the brain travelling to and through the
following neural structures:

Serotonin is responsible for mood regulation, reduce

feelings of depression and anxiety and increase feelings of
joy or happiness.
Natural ways to boost your levels of serotonin
Natural ways to boost your levels of serotonin
Mechanism of SSRI
Products of SSRIs on market

Citalopram (Celexa) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Paroxetine (Paxil)

Fluoxetine (Prozac) Sertraline (Zoloft)

PROS AND CONS OF SSRI
 Gene &
epigenetics
study in mental
illness’s
treatment
• Gene & Epigenetics
• Methyl medication
• Application in mental illness’s
treatment
GENE &
EPIGENETICS | gene
Deoxyribonucleic Acid | DNA
o the molecule that carries genetic instructions in all
living organisms
o two strands – attached by the bases’ bonds: A – T, C –
G
o formed under a double helix
o main constituent of chromosomes

Genes
o short pieces of DNA
o carry specific genetic information

Source: National Cancer

Institute
 GENE &
EPIGENETICS | gene

Gene Expression
o Transcription
o Translation
o PROTEINS (majority)

Source: GG
image
GENE & o Protein Synthesis
EPIGENETICS | o SEROTONIN transporter
gene

Source: GG Source: GG
image image
 Source: GG

GENE & Definition

o the study of heritable changes in gene expression
image

EPIGENETICS | o modification of gene expression >< alteration of the genetic code itself
EPIGENETICS (change in DNA sequences)
o Affect how cells read the genes
 Source: GG
image
GENE & Influent factors
o Age
Studying
o DNA methylation
EPIGENETICS | o The environment/lifestyle o Histone modification
EPIGENETICS o disease state o Non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-
 /////////////////////////////////3

DNA & METHYL GROUP

MENTAL ILLNESS TREATMENT OPTIONS

 DNA=Deoxyribo-Nucleic
Acid
Definition of DNA:
DNA is a very large molecule, made
up of smaller units called nucleotides
Each nucleotide has three parts: a
sugar (ribose), a phosphate molecule,
and a nitrogenous base.
The nitrogenous base is the part of
the nucleotide that carries genetic
information
The bases found in DNA are four:
adenine (A) paired with thymine (T),
and guanine (G) paired with cytosine
(C).
 Methyl Group

• What is a Methyl Group?

Methyl group is a group of atoms consisting of one carbon atom and
three hydrogen atoms. It’s can take part in methylation reaction.
 MENTAL ILLNESS TREATMENT
OPTIONS

I. What are the

types of mental
III. Treatments
illness? A. Medication
II. What causes B. Psychotherapy
mental illness?
What are the types of mental illness?

Mental illness is really many different disorders.

These disorders fall into broad categories
including:
1. Anxiety disorders
2. Schizophrenia disorders
3. Personality disorders
4. Depression disorders
5. Bipolar Mood Disorders
6. Other mental health disorders include eating
disorders, stress disorders such as PTSD and
suicidal behavior…
 What causes mental illness?
Mental illness is probably caused by many things in
combination, including:
1. Inherited factors-mental illness runs in families
2. Life stresses
3. The environment and culture you live in
4. Health problems that affect your brain
5. Many stresses, such as losing a job, getting divorced,
or taking too many drugs, increase the risk of mental
illness.
The main treatments are Medication and Psychotherapy
(also calling as counseling or talk therapy).
 Medication
• Medication for mental illnesses are thought to work on your brain
cells called neurons in doing so they increase brain activity in certain
areas or decrease activity in others.
• If you have depression, you may not have enough of certain chemical
messengers in this space. In general, the use of antidepressant
medication results in the build-up of certain chemical messengers in
this space. This build-up improves signal transfer and your mood
may improve as a result.
 Medication
• Other common mental illnesses can be treated with medications
include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (also know as manic-
depressive disorder) and many others.
• If you have schizophrenia your healthcare professional or doctor
may prescribe antipsychotic medication. A mood stabilizer is usually
the first choice as medication taken on a regular basic. If you have
bipolar disorder other medication prescribed for bipolar disorder
include antipsychotics, antidepressants or drugs known as
atypical antipsychotics.
 Talk therapy

• Family, friends, and support group can help people cope with mental illness.
For most mental health disorders, a combination is more effective than either
one by itself.
• Other treatments include electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnet
stimulation.
• In the past, people with mental illness were often placed institutions or
hospitals. Today, people are more likely to live productively in the
community. But many people with mental illness still don’t get the care and
support they need.
 CONCLUSION
• TALK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSTIONAL OR DOCTOR IF YOU
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MEDICATION OR HAVE ANY SIDE
EFFECTS.
• IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS AS DIRECTED BY
YOUR HEALTHY CARE PROFESSTIONAL OR DOCTOR
• DO NOT STOP TAKING THEM UNLESS YOUR HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONAL OR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO.
• IF YOU STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS, YOUR SYMTOMPS MAY
REAPPEAR.
Epigenetics and Methylation
in Treating Mental Illness
What Is Epigenetics?
What Is Epigenetics?
• Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can
cause changes that affect the way your genes work
• Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not
change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body
reads a DNA sequence.
• While genetic changes can alter which protein is made, epigenetic
changes affect gene expression to turn genes “on” and “off.”
How Does Epigenetics
Work?
How Does Epigenetics Work?
• Epigenetic changes affect gene expression in different ways. Types of
epigenetic changes include:
DNA Methylation
• DNA methylation works by adding a chemical group to DNA.
Typically, this group is added to specific places on the DNA, where it
blocks the proteins that attach to DNA to “read” the gene.

• This chemical group can be removed through a process called

demethylation. Typically, methylation turns genes “off” and
demethylation turns genes “on.”
Histone modification
• DNA wraps around proteins called histones. DNA wrapped tightly
around histones cannot be accessed by proteins that “read” the
gene.

• Some genes are wrapped around histones and are turned “off” while
some genes are not wrapped around histones and are turned “on.”

• Chemical groups can be added or removed from histones and change

whether a gene is unwrapped or wrapped (“on” or “off”).
Current Knowledge of
Epigenetics
Infections
Germs can change your epigenetics to weaken your immune system.
This helps the germ survive.
Example: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis. Infections with these
germs can cause changes to histones in some of your immune cells
that result in turning “off” the IL-12B gene. Turning “off” the IL-12B
gene weakens your immune system and improves the survival of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Preventing Cancer
DNA methylation often inhibits the expression of certain genes. For
example, the methylation process might stop a tumor-causing gene
from “turning on,” preventing cancer.
Example: Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancers have increased methylation at the SEPT9 gene.
Some commercial epigenetic-based tests for colorectal cancer look at
DNA methylation levels at the SEPT9 gene. When used with other
diagnostic screening tests, these epigenetic based tests can help find
cancer early.
Nutrition During Pregnancy
A pregnant woman’s environment and behavior during pregnancy,
such as whether she eats healthy food, can change the baby’s
epigenetics. Some of these changes can remain for decades and might
make the child more likely to get certain diseases.
Example: Dutch Hunger Winter Famine (1944-1945)
Around 60 years after the famine, researchers looked at methylation
levels in people whose mothers were pregnant with them during the
famine. The statistics show that they were more likely to develop
certain diseases such as heart disease, schizophrenia, and type 2
diabetes.
Applications of Epigenetics in
Treating Mental Illness
Applications on Treating Mental Illness
• Scientists around the world have been conducting many genetic
researches and experiments to identify which genes causing which
mental illnesses.
• The information collected through researches and experiments will
later on used to develop different types of medication to target
these specific genes (activate or deactivate them)
• So far, genetic studies of treatment response in schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder (extreme mood swings), and major depression have
returned results with limited clinical utility.
Treating Schizophrenia
• Schizophrenia is a severe and relatively common psychiatric disease,
affecting approximately 1% of the population worldwide. Major
symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions
(belief in something that is not true), paranoia, and disorganized
thinking.
• Numerous studies have been performed to find out that genes such
as COMT, DTNBP1, NRG1, RGS4, GRM3, G72, PPP3CC, CHRNA7,
ZNF804A, TCF4, NRGN, MIR137, and PRODH are genetic factors for
schizophrenia.
Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(OCD)
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health
condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive
behaviours.
• Four genes identified to be significantly associated with OCD include
NRXN1, HTR2A, CTTNBP2 and REEP3 genes.
Treating Depression (Major Depressive
Disorder)
• Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively
affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression
causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you
once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical
problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at
home.
• Many etiological studies were conducted to identify the genes that
are associated with depression: BDNF, SLC6A4, NR3C1, and OXTR.
 Causes
Inherited traits: Mental illness is more common in people whose blood
relatives also have a mental illness.
Environmental exposures before birth: Exposure to environmental stressors,
inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs while in the womb can
sometimes be linked to mental illness.
Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain
chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When
the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function
of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and
other emotional disorders.
Risk factors
• Stressful life situations (such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a
divorce)
• Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
• A childhood history of abuse or neglect

• Few friends or few healthy relationships

• A previous mental illness
Complications
• Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life
• Family conflicts
• Relationship difficulties
• Self-harm and harm to others, including suicide or homicide
• Weakened immune system, so your body has a hard time resisting infections
• Heart disease and other medical conditions
Prevention
Pay attention to warning signs: Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any
changes in symptoms or how you feel. Consider involving family members or
friends to watch for warning signs.

Get help when you need it: Mental health conditions can be harder to treat if
you wait until symptoms get bad. So If you can, please find a person that you
truly belive such as your parent or best friends and tell them what you are
facing. They can give you some great advices and help you get out of this dark
time.

Take good care of yourself: By changing your bad habbit, For example Try to
maintain a regular schedule. Besides that, Sufficient sleep, healthy eating and
regular physical activity are also important.