Scientists have discovered nearly 80 genes that could be linked to depression, an advance that may help explain why some people are at a higher risk of developing the condition. The study led by researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK could also help develop drugs to tackle mental ill-health. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the research published in the journal Nature Communications. They scanned the genetic code of 300,000 people to identify areas of DNA that could be linked to depression. “This study identifies genes that potentially increase our risk of depression, adding to the evidence that it is partly a genetic disorder,” said David Howard, Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh.

Source: Hindustan Times April 16, 2018 11:34 UTC