New studies find DNA region with links to depression

Scientists have discovered a specific region of DNA associated with depression for the first time.

In independent, non-associated studies, teams from Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis and King's College London located a region on chromosome 3 containing up to 90 genes that may be linked to the mental condition.

Both studies were investigating families affected by recurrent depression for different purposes and using contrasting approaches, but nevertheless happened upon the same linkage peak.

The researchers are now considering combining the datasets from both studies to see if the region continues to exert an effect.

However, Dr Peter McGuffin, director of the Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre at King's College London, said the findings "still only account for a small proportion of the genetic risk for depression".

"More and larger studies will be required to find the other parts of the genome involved," he added.

Last year, a team from Yale University found that the gene MKP-1 may play a role in inhibiting neuron function among depression sufferers.