For the first time, researchers have identified why depression and anxiety often occur together.
A study, led by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, has identified more than 500 genes that influence both depression and anxiety.
Guest: Professor Eske Derks, senior researcher; head of Translational Neurogenomics Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Producer:
Friday, 16 April 2021, 10:16 am
New
Australian research, led by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research
Institute, has identified 509 genes that influence both
depression and anxiety - confirming a genetic relationship
between the mental health conditions.
The study
findings have been published overnight in the prestigious
journal
Nature Human Behaviour, and are the first to
identify so many genes that are shared between depression
and anxiety.
The senior researcher and head of QIMR
Berghofer’s Translational Neurogenomics Group, Professor
Eske Derks, said depression and anxiety are the two most
prevalent psychiatric disorders in the world and often
co-occur together in the same person.
“Not a lot has
Study reveals genetic link between depression and anxiety ANI | Updated: Apr 16, 2021 05:09 IST
Queensland [Australia], April 16 (ANI): New Australian research, led by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, has identified 509 genes that influence both depression and anxiety - confirming a genetic relationship between the mental health conditions.
The study findings have been published overnight in the prestigious journal Nature Human Behaviour, and are the first to identify so many genes that are shared between depression and anxiety.
The senior researcher and head of QIMR Berghofer s Translational Neurogenomics Group, Professor Eske Derks, said that depression and anxiety are the two most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the world and often co-occur together in the same person.
Researchers find genetic links between anxiety and depression
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New research has identified for the first time hundreds of genes linking depression and anxiety, increasing understanding of both conditions and pointing the way to better treatments.
QIMR Berghofer researchers used genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people to look for genetic connections between the two mental health conditions.
Researchers have identified hundreds of genes linking depression with anxiety.
Credit:Michele Mossop
Lead researcher Jackson Thorp said they identified 674 genes linked to either depression or anxiety, about three-quarters of which, 509, were associated with both disorders.