A new study suggests that fainting may run in the family and, for some, just one gene may be the cause of this phenomenon.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne and Austin Health reviewed medical records of 44 families with a history of fainting. This included six families who have a large number of affected people, suggesting that a single gene is responsible and could be traced through generations.
The study led by Professor Samuel Berkovic from the Department of Medicine revealed further insight into fainting showing that it may be caused by a single gene in some families. However, triggers such as the sight of blood or emotional distress may not be inherited.
“Our study strengthens the evidence that fainting may be commonly genetic,” author of the report Professor Samuel Berkovic said.
“Our hope is to uncover the mystery of this phenomenon so that we can recognise the risk or reduce the occurrence in people as fainting may be a safety issue.”
Berkovic explains in the report, published this week in the Neurology journal, that the fainting is usually trivial and “not a serious health issue”.
Last year, Berkovic reported a study in which identical twins were twice as likely to share the fainting trait as fraternal twins. Non-twin relatives were less likely to share the trait, suggesting fainting was inherited via more than one gene.
The study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the German Research Foundation, the University of Melbourne and the Australian Research Council.
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