The first human genome-wide scan had produced many locations where genes involved in clinical depression may lurk.
It's long been known that clinical depression has a strong genetic component. But the actual location and identity of the genes involved has remained elusive. The advent of the Human Genome Project, however, sheds new light on the genetics of depression.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have carried out the first ever genome-wide scan for depression genes, working with 81 families affected by early onset, recurrent, severe clinical depression. This study has revealed 19 different locations on the genome where depression genes may lurk. In particular, a gene on chromosome 2 called CREB1 appears to be important in depression occurring in women.

The researchers believe depression in women and men may have a different genetic basis and a different mechanism. They have also found that many members of these families had an increased risk of dying prematurely - from suicide, homicide and liver disease as well as from chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke. It will be fascinating to see if any of the depression genes play a role in this tendency towards reduced life expectancy.