Scientists discover 17 genetic variations that raise risk of depression

The findings may help reduce the stigma that can accompany depression, say scientists.

Photograph: Eric Audras/Getty Images/Onoky

Scientists have discovered 17 separate genetic variations that increase the risk of a person developing depression. The findings, which came from analysing DNA data collected from more than 300,000 people, are the first genetics links to the disease found in people of European ancestry and may help to reduce the stigma that often accompanies depression. Of the 300,000 people studied, 75,607 self-reported a clinical diagnosis of depression or were receiving treatment for the condition. However, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences Professor-In-Residence, Jonathan Flint, cautions that the use of data based on self-reports of diagnosis is problematic. Not only are many individuals with major depressive disorders likely to never have received a diagnosis, others might have been diagnosed who do not meet the criteria for the condition.

Source: Scientists discover 17 genetic variations that raise risk of depression The Guardian, 01 Aug 2016

Additional coverage on the study:

Genetic Causes of Depression: News Study Finds Major Clues Medical Daily, 02 Aug 2016

Another genetic link to depression found: study Egypt Independent, 02 Aug 2016

Another gene link to depression found: study Yahoo! News, 01 Aug 2016