What Causes Depression? A New Study May Have Found The Answer In Human Genome

Much like the effects of it, depression is a medical illness that is depressing for doctors to deal with. There's no way to prevent or cure it other than fighting and managing to survive through it. This is because the root cause of depression remains unknown but a recent study may have just found out where it comes from.

Time reports about a new study published in Nature Genenetics that named fifteen regions on the human genome that could be linked to the development of major depressive disorder (MDD). Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and 23andMe studied almost 460,000 subjects using the genetic profiles of 23andMe clients.

The customers were asked if their profiles could be used for the study. After all, every profile is anonymous because the identifiable information is removed before 23andMe releases it.

Among the genetic profiles, 75,607 people had visited a doctor to check if they have depression and 231,747 had never done so. In both groups, the researchers looked for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or irregularities of specific genome points. If an anomalous area is found, the function of it is determined.

After the extensive search, the research team found 15 SNPs on depressive subjects that were located on parts of the genome that make the brain function. For instance, some SNPs were found on regions that control fear, memory and anger.

To validate the findings of the first analysis, the researchers did another round of observation. This time they used samples of 45,733 depressive subjects and 106,354 non-depressive subjects. The result was the same: SNPs were found in areas of the brain that control its function and how it handles emotions and memories.

According to Time, the researchers do not know yet what the new information may do. They are hopeful that it can be used to diagnose a patient's possibility of developing depression--meaning in the future, risk of depression can be determined before it gets to a point when it has to be treated.

As per Anxiety and Depression Association of America, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in America. It affects more than 15 million American adults or 6.7 percent of Americans from ages 18 and older. The disorder can develop at any age and is more prevalent in women than men.

According to WebMD, if clinical depression is untreated, it could lead to serious drug and alcohol addiction. It could destroy relationships, cause work problems and generally ruin a person's eating and sleeping patterns and thinking behavior. Patients who are clinically depressed and just recovered from a stroke or a coronary heart disease are at a higher risk of death.

What do you think can the new study do to help combat depression? Sound off your thoughts in the Comments section below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.