Researchers have discovered 308 genes linked to high risks of depression and have tested more than 1,600 new treatments, two of which achieve very good results.
- The researchers identified nearly 697 variants of the genetic code linked to the development of depression, of which almost half were not known.
- Thanks to these variants of the genetic code, they then discovered 308 genes associated with higher risks of depression.
- In France, 13.3 % of 18-75 year olds had experienced “a characterized depressive episode” in the last twelve months in 2021, according to Public Health France.
“” “A person whose parents had a depression has two to four times more likely to be depressed in his life“, according to Health insurancewho underlines that “certain genetic variations associated with this vulnerability have been identified”. And the list lengthens as the search is progressing. In a new study published in the journal Cellscientists have discovered more than 300 genes linked to higher risks of depression.
700 variants of the genetic code and 308 genes related to depression
During their work, researchers fromUniversity of Edinburghin Scotland, and King’s College in Londonin England, studied the genetic data of five million people who lived in twenty-nine countries. “” “The previous research on depression genetics focused mainly on white and richer populations, neglecting most of the world ”, noted The Guardian. This new study therefore goes further.
Scientists first identified nearly 697 variants of the genetic code linked to the development of depression, including almost half – 293 – have not been known so far. Thanks to these variants of the genetic code, they then discovered 308 genetic associations, that is to say genes, which were associated with higher risks of depression.
Two treatments get good results
Of these 308 genes, scientists have tested more than 1,600 drugs. Two of them get very good results:
– THE modafinilusually administered for narcolepsy
– there pregabalineused for chronic pain
Because the objective of researchers, with these 308 identified genes, is to find new treatments to fight against depression. But before achieving it, several tests must be carried out.
“” “There are huge gaps in our understanding of clinical depression which limit the possibilities of improving the results for those concerned, Explains Andrew McIntosh, one of the main authors of the study. Farm and more representative work on a global scale is essential to provide the information necessary for the development of new and best therapies and to prevent disease in people with a higher risk of developing the disease”.
In France, 13.3 % of 18-75 year olds had experienced “a characterized depressive episode” in the last twelve months in 2021, according to the last Public health health barometer France. It is more than in the previous one, in 2017, where they were 9.8 % to have suffered from it.
Depression can affect everyone, but it is more common in young adults. According to Vidalseven out of ten depressive are under the age of 45.
