A groundbreaking study led by Aarhus University, Denmark, has discovered a significant genetic correlation between depression and other psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.
Conducted on 1.3 million individuals, of which more than 370,000 suffered from depression, the research presents the possibility of predicting psychiatric disorders through genetic analyses.
The study has been published in Nature Medicine.
Key Findings
Individuals with hospital-treated depression and a high genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder are 32 times more likely to develop the condition than those without.
People with hospital-treated depression and a high genetic predisposition to schizophrenia are 14 times more likely to develop the condition.
Those with a high genetic predisposition to substance abuse have a 21 percent risk of developing a serious substance abuse problem.
Prevention and Early Treatment
Professor Anders Børglum, who led the study, highlighted the potential for targeted preventative measures and early treatment for high-risk individuals.
Such interventions could include regular monitoring and early diagnosis for those susceptible to developing psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.
The researchers identified numerous genetic risk variants and genes for depression, which help understand the biological disease mechanisms.
Thomas Als, the first author of the study, said the genetic risk affects the development and communication of neurons in virtually all regions of the brain but not in other organs.
Educational and Cognitive Impact
The study found that genetic risk variants for depression also impact an individual’s educational level. Some variants increase the likelihood of completing higher education, while others reduce it.
Overall, however, the risk variants tend to decrease the likelihood of completing higher education.
Moreover, the genetic risk of depression is linked to reduced cognitive abilities, including abstract thinking and verbal reasoning.
Anders Børglum revealed that part of the genetic risk influences brain cells in the embryonic stage, suggesting depression is to some extent a neuronal developmental disorder.
There is also a significant genetic overlap between depression and conditions like autism and ADHD.
Conclusion
The study opens new avenues for understanding the complex genetic factors underpinning depression and offers promise for more targeted preventive measures and treatments.
It lays the groundwork for future research that can further explore these relationships and potentially revolutionize the way psychiatric disorders are understood and managed.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
The study was published in Nature Medicine.
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