Nearly 80 depression-caused genes were screened

in Edinburgh, England, screened nearly 80 depression-related genes by analysing the health data of biobanks in the UK. These findings could help explain why the disease is at high risk and could also be used to develop drugs to treat mental illness. The study was published
Journal.
may trigger depression through life events, trauma, or stress, but it's not clear why some people are more likely to develop the disease than others.
, led by the University of Edinburgh, analysed data from biobank UK, a repository that contains health and genetic information for 500,000 people. They scanned the genetic code of 300,000 people to identify areas of DNA that might be linked to depression.
study found that genes that have been precisely located are involved in synapses, tiny connectors that allow brain cells to communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. The scientists then confirmed their conclusions by using 23andMe's personal genetic information data with donor consent.
, of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, who led the study, said: "Depression is a common and serious disease that affects millions of people around the world. These findings help us better understand the cause and show how big data from biobanks in the UK can help promote mental health research. Lead author of
study, Dr David Howard, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, said the study identified genes that could increase the risk of depression and provided new evidence for cracking the cause. They hope to eventually find an effective treatment. (Source: Science and Technology Daily, Fang Linlin)