15 genomic regions associated with depression uncovered

A genomic study using data from 23andMe (CA, USA) has identified 15 genomic regions that may be associated with depression in individuals of European descent. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Genetics. "Identifying genes that affect risk for a disease is a first step towards understanding the disease biology itself, which gives us targets to aim for in developing new treatments," explained co-author Roy Perlis (Massachusetts General Hospital, MA, USA). "More generally, finding genes associated with depression should help make clear that this is a brain disease, which we hope will decrease the stigma still...