A global study led by scientists from University College London,UK,found more than 50 new genetic loci related to depression(loci are the positions of genes on chromosomes)and 205 new genes.This is the first time that scientists have carried out large-scale genetic research on major depression based on participants from different ethnic groups,which is expected to bring new therapies to depression.Relevant papers were published in the latest issue of Nature Genetics.
  Depression is common,but little is known about its development.Gene research using big data provides a new way to understand this disease.The discovery of dozens of genes related to depression will help identify new drug targets for the treatment of depression.But so far,such studies have mainly focused on people of European descent,which is a research defect for depression,a complex disease.
  The latest papers involve a variety of genetic research methods,including genome-wide association studies,meta-analysis of previously published data,and transcriptome wide association studies.The research team reviewed the genetic data of 21 research cohorts from several countries,including nearly 1million participants from Africa,East Asia,South Asia,Hispanics and Latin Americans.It included 88316 patients with severe depression.
  This study has made significant progress in identifying genes associated with the risk of depression.We identified some new genes that may have a reasonable biological connection with depression;It encodes a protein gene related to a variety of neurological diseases;Some genes with potential influence on drug development were revealed.
  The researchers said that in order for gene research to help people develop new drugs suitable for all populations,it is essential to appropriately diversify the gene data set.