I saw this on 'CNN - Your Health' today and thought it was so
interesting, I did a search so I could send it on to you...
http://cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/9810/03/yh.00.html
LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over):
Rosemarie Wenxlaff battled depression for 10 years.
ROSEMARIE WENXLAFF, DEPRESSION PATIENT (through translator): I have no
interest in my personal appearance anymore. I had an enormous sleeping
disorder. I could not fall asleep.
SCHIAVONE: In the United States, at least 17 million people have some
sort of clinical depression. Not just a passing case of the blues but a
disabling and often long term despair.
Scientists are still unraveling the causes of the disease. Genetics,
stress and now doctors in Germany think some cases of depression may be
linked to a virus.
DR. LIV BODE, ROBERT KOCH INSTITUTE: We think there is a lot of
evidence that Borna virus has clinical significance for this type of
disease.
SCHIAVONE: The virus was first identified in the late 1800's among
horses near the town of Borna, Germany. They stopped eating, walked in
circles, got sick, some even killed themselves. Autopsies led scientists
to the virus in the region of a horse's brain that controls emotions.
Could humans also get Borna virus? Researchers in Berlin have found a
similar strain in humans.
BODE: I think it is supporting our hypothesis that this virus, this
particular agent, has really something to do with this type of disorder.
SCHIAVONE: In fact, the anti-viral drug AMANTADINE used to treat
Parkinson's Disease has been found to relieve some cases of depression.
A trial is now under way.
DR. RON FERSZT, FREE UNIVERSITY OF BERLIN: I think I am one of the most
skeptical people around. But I have to face the fact that for about a
year now we have been treating patients and we are seeing responses to
Amantadine.
SCHIAVONE: Scientists in the U.S. say these early findings are
interesting but not conclusive. Results are expected later this year
from clinical trials in Berlin that might demonstrate a link between
Borna virus and depression.
Louise Schiavone for CNN.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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