Scientists have discovered a way to predict who is most at risk of depression, landmark new research suggested today.
World-leading experts found almost 300 genetic variants linked to the condition that were previously unknown to scientists.
They join more than 400 genetic links previously identified as increasing depression risk, meaning the number of DNA patterns thought to cause the condition has almost doubled.
Scientists, who tracked more than 5 million adults worldwide, said the British-led study provides more hope than ever before that the mental illness could be tackled through new drugs that target the specific genetic variations.
Experts added that this could be done via already available drugs, such as those used to treat chronic pain.
Professor Cathryn Lewis, study co-lead, from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, said: ‘Depression is a highly prevalent disorder and we still have a lot to learn about its biological underpinnings.
‘Our study identifies hundreds of additional genetic variants that play a role in depression.
‘These findings open up pathways to translate these findings into better care for people with depression.’
World-leading experts found almost 300 unknown genetic variants linked to the condition. They join more than 400 genetic links, that experts have previously identified as increasing the risk a person would suffer depression
Professor Andrew McIntosh, study co-lead, from the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, added: ‘There are huge gaps in our understanding of clinical depression that limit opportunities to improve outcomes for those affected.’
The latest survey figures from the Office for National Statistics show one in six Brits report moderate or severe depressive symptoms — 60 per cent higher than the previous three years.
This towering rise has been blamed variously on mounting mental pressures caused by Covid lockdowns and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis.
Separate data also shows around 8.6million people in England were taking an antidepressant in 2022/23 — almost a fifth of all adults.
More than half of those taking antidepressants in England have been taking them for at least a year.
In the study, researchers from the University of Edinburgh and King’s College London tracked genetic data from over 5 million adults across 29 countries.
They found a total of 697 genetic variants linked to depression — almost half of which had never been associated with the condition before.
This NHS data shows the number of Brits taking each type of antidepressant medication over the past eight years. The line with the green triangles indicates the the total number of patients
Researchers said the findings offered new insight into possible new treatments for depression. One — Pregabalin, sold under the brand names Lyrica, Alzain and Axalid — could be repurposed
Of these, 100 were identified because people from African, East Asian, Hispanic and South Asian descent were included in the research, the scientists said.
Previously, studies have mainly focused on European adults.
The identified genetic variants were linked to neurons across the brain, including in areas that control emotion.
Writing in the journal, Cell, the researchers said the previously unknown genetic links to the condition would allow scientists to predict depression risk.
Each genetic variant has a very small effect on the overall risk of developing depression, however, if a person has multiple variants, these small effects can add up, increasing their risk.
It also offered new insight into possible new treatments, they added.
These include existing drugs Pregabalin, used for chronic pain, and Modafinil, used for narcolepsy, being repurposed for the treatment of depression.
However, they warned that further studies and clinical trials would first be needed to explore the potential of the drugs in patients with depression.
The UK’s medicines regulator, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently reviewing 30 antidepressants including citalopram, sertraline and mirtazapine, after families expressed concern over the loss of their loved ones.
Since 2014, the MRHA has received more than 71 alerts over fatalities linked to the antidepressant citalopram and 114 alerts over fatal adverse reactions linked to sertraline.
