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Major leads in the search for susceptibility genes for depression

The Pharmacogenomics Journal volume 3, pages 305–307 (2003)Cite this article

The importance of genetic factors in the causation of depression has been known since at least the early twentieth century. Genes contribute 30–40% of the etiological variance for this condition.1 Despite such recognition, the role of inherited factors has tended to be discounted over the last century, with the major research and clinical emphases being upon social, interpersonal, personality, cognitive and psychodynamic contributants.

Two recent and significant studies2,3 have once again drawn attention to the role of genetics in the origins of this common and disabling condition. The first, that of Caspi et al2—published in ‘Science’—takes a major conceptual advance in examining for susceptibility genes that increase the likelihood of depression in the face of an environmental insult—in the form of stressful life events. The second, that of Zubenko et al,3 exploits the greater role of genetics in early-onset and recurrent depressive illness, by investigating for linkage in families recruited via probands fulfilling such criteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, and Mood Disorders Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia

    P B Mitchell

  2. Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia

    P R Schofield

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

    J A Donald

Authors
  1. P B Mitchell
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  2. P R Schofield
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  3. J A Donald
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Correspondence to P B Mitchell.

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Mitchell, P., Schofield, P. & Donald, J. Major leads in the search for susceptibility genes for depression. Pharmacogenomics J 3, 305–307 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.tpj.6500212

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