Unveiling the Future: Breakthroughs in Medical Research and Innovation

In a global investigation led by UCL academics, innovation has unveiled almost 200 novel genes linked to depression.

In a groundbreaking global study of major depression genetics, innovation led to the discovery of over 50 new genetic loci and 205 novel genes. This research, published in Nature Genetics, highlights diverse ancestry groups and advances our understanding of depression.

One discovered gene produces a protein targeted by a popular diabetic medication, showing the potential for drug repurposing. The study also identifies novel targets for possible depression treatment medications.

Breaking the Eurocentric Mold: Genetic Research Reveals Crucial Need for Innovation and Diverse Ancestry Data in Depression Studies

Although depression is highly frequent, little is still known about how it starts. Big data-driven genetic research is opening up new ways to study the illness and has identified dozens of genes linked to depression, each of which carries a very slight increased risk. It can also aid in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets; however, research to far has primarily involved individuals with European ancestry, which the researchers argue is a significant limitation, particularly for a disorder as complicated as depression.

The new work included a variety of genetic research techniques, such as transcriptome-wide association studies, genome-wide association studies, and meta-analyses of previously released data. The multinational research team examined genetic information from 21 study cohorts spanning multiple nations. The study comprised approximately one million individuals of African, East Asian, South Asian, and Hispanic/Latin American heritage, including 88,316 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

The study identifies key genes like NDUFAF3, linking them to depression and highlighting metformin’s role in mood stability. Further investigation into metformin and depression is needed, as animal studies suggest it may reduce anxiety and depression.

Genes identified, including those related to neurological diseases and neurotransmitters, show biologically plausible links to depression.

Breaking the Eurocentric Mold: Innovative Genetic Research Reveals Crucial Need for Diverse Ancestry Data in Depression Studies

A new method revealed only 30% overlap in depression genetic hits across ancestry groups, showing less correlation than expected. This is less overlap than previously found for other traits and diseases. Studying depression in a variety of groups is therefore even more crucial because some of the results may be ancestry-specific.

Professor Kuchenbaecker states our understanding of depression remains incomplete until we address Eurocentric bias and include diverse populations.

Innovation in drug development requires diverse genetic datasets, as many depression-linked genes may affect only European individuals.

The study included collaborations from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, China Kadoorie Biobank, 23andMe, Genes and Health, and BioBank Japan. Professor Kuchenbaecker led the research alongside Dr. Xiangrui Meng, PhD researcher Georgina Navoly, and Dr. Olga Giannakopoulou.

Professor Kuchenbaecker continued: This is a first-stage discovery effort, so we need more work to confirm these new targets. Identifying these targets is a crucial and challenging innovation, especially for a disorder urgently needing new medications.