The Genetic Triggers of Depression

Nearly 80 genes that could be linked to depression have been discovered by researchers from University of Edinburgh. The findings could help explain why some people may be at a higher risk of developing the condition, researchers say. The study could also help researchers develop therapeutics to tackle mental ill-health.

Depression affects one in five people in the UK every year and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Life events – such as trauma or stress – can contribute to its onset, but it is not clear why some people are more likely to develop the condition than others.

Researchers led by the University of Edinburgh analyzed data from UK Biobank – a research resource containing health and genetic information for half a million people. They scanned the genetic code of 300,000 people to identify areas of DNA that could be linked to depression.

Some of the pinpointed genes are known to be involved in the function of synapses, small connectors that allow neurons to communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. Researchers then confirmed their findings by examining anonymized data held by the personal genetics and research company 23andMe, used with the donors’ consent. The study, published in Nature Communications, was funded by Wellcome as part of Stratifying Resilience and Depression Longitudinally, a £4.7 million project to better understand the condition.

Professor Andrew McIntosh of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, who leads the Edinburgh-based research group, said: “Depression is a common and often severe condition that affects millions of people worldwide. These new findings help us better understand the causes of depression and show how the UK Biobank study and big data research has helped advance mental health research.

“We hope that the UK’s growing health data research capacity will help us to make major advances in our understanding of depression in coming years.”

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