Genetics could help identify people at higher risk of hard to treat depression

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-01-29 03:00

Australia; NSW; QLD

Photo by Zulfugar Karimov on Unsplash. Story by Lyndal Byford, Australian Science Media Centre

DNA data could be used to help identify people at greater risk of difficult-to-treat depression, according to Australian and international research. The study also found that real-world data on antidepressant prescription patterns can help identify distinct subtypes of depression, such as those with higher rates of smoking, suicidal ideation, or chronic pain. The authors say that if there is a biological difference that explains these subtypes and why depression is harder to treat in some people, in the future, genetic markers from blood or saliva samples could help predict treatment outcomes.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Psychiatry

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: QIMR Berghofer, The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), The University of Sydney, University of Oxford, UK

Funder: The Australian Genetics of Depression Study was primarily funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (grant 1086683). The record linkage to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data was funded by NHMRC investigator grant 1172917. This study was further supported by NHMRC grants 1173790, 1073898 (ProfWray), 1172917 (Prof Medland), 2017176 (Dr Mitchell), 1172990 (Dr Martin), and 2008197 Dr Crouse). MsWalker and ProfWray are funded by the Michael Davys Trust at the University of Oxford. ProfWray also acknowledges funding from theWellcome Trust (Antidepressant Medications: Biology, Exposure & Response [AMBER]).

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