New DNA research is raising hopes of a cure in the battle against depression
Scientists have mapped the genetic variations known to increase the risk of depression, which could provide potential targets for new drugs
SCIENTISTS have raised hopes of new treatments for depression after mapping out its genetic foundations.
It triples from 14 to 44 the number of DNA variations known to increase the risk.
The work should give researchers a better understanding of what causes the condition, which affects one in four people in a lifetime.
Discovery of the new variations will also provide potential new targets for drugs.
Previous studies suggested genetics explains 40 per cent of depression.
A team of 200 academics analysed genetic data from 135,000 people with depression and 345,000 without it.
Those with a high genetic risk of depression are about 2.5 times more likely to have it than those with a low risk.
The findings reveal some differences linked to depression also raise the risk of other conditions, like schizophrenia.
Dr Gerome Breen, who worked on the study at King’s College London, said: “This could revitalise depression treatment by opening up avenues for the discovery of new and improved therapies.”
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