Personality Types Sensitive to Depression Identified by Scientists

A major study of depression, including data from more than two million people, identified personality types that are susceptible to the disease.

Scientists led by the University of Edinburgh badyzed health and DNA records, after which they identified 269 genes related to depression.

With the aid of a research method known as Mendelian randomization, they identified common DNA sections in people with depression and in those who adopted "fashionable behaviors." life "such as smoking.

The results suggest that depression may be a determining factor leading some people to smoke, researchers said.

They also found that neuroticism – a tendency to be worried or fearful – could cause people to become depressed.

The team invites people with depression or anxiety to take part in another study to better understand the role of DNA in common mental health problems.

The research, known as the GLAD study (Genetic Linkages for Anxiety and Depression), aims to improve the lives of people with mental health problems.

In collaboration with Mental Health BioResource and King's College London, they hope to collect saliva samples and questionnaires from 40,000 people across the UK.

Professor Andrew McIntosh of the Center for Clinical Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh said: "These findings are further evidence that depression is partly due to our genetics.

"We hope that by launching the GLAD study, we will be able to better understand why some people are at higher risk than others with mental health problems and how we could help people with depression and anxiety more effectively in the future. "

The research, published in Nature Neuroscience, was funded by Wellcome and the Medical Research Council.

Raliza Stoyanova, of Wellcome, said: "Since current treatments only work for half of those who need it, the study provides intriguing clues for further research – for example, biological pathways. involved in the development of the disease the same as those involved in the response to treatment. "

A charity in Mental Health Research, MQ, said that there had been little progress for people living with depression in nearly 50 years.

Sophie Dix, research director, said, "This study adds weight to the evidence that genes are one of the leading risk factors for depression, which is also affected by life events such as depression. Social environment and trauma.

"The value of this could really be seen when one is looking at the development of personalized treatments – a welcome step, given the lack of innovation in identifying new approaches.

"The power of this great genetic study lies in the fact that it can indicate systems in the brain, which adds to our currently limited understanding in this area.

"By improving our understanding of these systems and how the social environment affects biological risk factors, we can begin to identify new targets for treatments that can help the millions of people affected by the disease." depression in the world. "