Identifying Risk Markers for Depression

ARC Discovery Project:

Identifying Risk Markers for Depression: A Cognitive Neuroscience Approach

In Australia, $3.3billion in productivity and 12 million working days are lost each year as a result of depression.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks depression second only to ischemic heart disease in terms of societal and economic burden of disease. Approximately 5% (1 in 20) of the population are likely to experience a major depression. Substantially more people (up to 30%) experience subclinical depressions which do not meet diagnostic criteria for mood disorder or major depression, but are nonetheless associated with risk of major depression.

While depression causes considerable suffering, we still know relatively little about the interacting factors which define risk for depression.

Currently there exists no simple and objective test or set of markers that can detect the early signs of depression. The available tests provide information relevant to the later-stage of clinical depression only. In this regard, non-invasive and objective markers are urgently required to limit the burden of depression.

The goal of this study is to identify markers of the gene-brain-behaviour pathways which increase risk for depression. It will be the first to integrate genetic, biological and temperamental risk factors in the pathway to depression in the same subjects, and to consider both relatives and non-relatives.

These markers are crucial in enabling early intervention to limit the course of depression. They will also benefit the development of prevention strategies, since they provide a means to identify high risk individuals.

Participation for family members of people with depression - Article

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