Ancient Viral DNA in Humans Linked to Psychiatric Disorders and Depression

Researchers from King's College London have discovered that ancient DNA sequences called Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), previously considered 'junk DNA,' are linked to major psychiatric disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. This finding, published in Nature Communications, suggests that HERVs play a significant role in the human brain and could revolutionize mental health treatment. Further research is needed to fully understand the function of these viral sequences.