Mental Health Disorders and Their Biological Underpinnings
Mental Health Disorders and Their Biological Underpinnings |
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| © 2025 by IJETT Journal | ||
| Volume-73 Issue-8 |
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| Year of Publication : 2025 | ||
| Author : Muhammad Akram, Mohammed Khudhair Hasan, Marium Ahsan, Ho Soonmin | ||
| DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I8P112 | ||
How to Cite?
Muhammad Akram, Mohammed Khudhair Hasan, Marium Ahsan, Ho Soonmin,"Mental Health Disorders and Their Biological Underpinnings", International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 73, no. 8, pp.137-146, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I8P112
Abstract
Mental health disorders are an important global health problem affecting millions in the population, regardless of age, sex or ethnicity. Alterations in mood, cognition, behavior, and perception are well-documented aspects of these diseases and conditions. Emerging evidence shows that genetics is critical to the onset and expression of mental disorders, pointing to the fact that, while a complex interaction of genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors is involved in their onset and course, the mind is ultimately the product of a walnut-sized structure buried deep in an animal’s head. Focusing on key areas such as genetics, neurochemistry, neuroanatomy, and neuroplasticity, we seek to review the molecular basis of mental health disorders. We have known for some time that genetic factors make a person more susceptible to mental health issues. Family and twin research studies show that many mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are heritable, although the general conclusion is that it is not a unitary abnormal gene, but rather multiple mutations at various genes are responsible for the high prevalence of any of the common psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorders. Although the exact pathways remain complex and multifactorial, more refined molecular genetic techniques have now implicated several candidate genes in mental illness. Stress, trauma, drug misuse and other environmental factors can interact with genetic predispositions to influence how these genes are expressed and increase the likelihood of mental health problems. Chemical Balance – Neuro Another critical element of the molecular machinery that anchors mental health issues is a balance between the chemicals in your brain (neurochemicals). These chemical messengers — called neurotransmitters — help neurons talk to each other and are key to regulating behavior, emotion and thinking. Many psychiatric disorders have been associated with the imbalance of neurotransmitter systems, including glutamate, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
Keywords
Anxiety disorders, Depression, Genetic predisposition, Human and illness, Psychotherapy, Public health, Structural brain changes.
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