Among people diagnosed with depression before the age of 25, there is a stronger hereditary component than among those diagnosed after the age of 50, according to the study published in Nature Genetics. The researchers found twelve genetic regions linked to early onset, while only two were linked to late onset.
One in four people with a high genetic risk of early-onset depression attempted suicide within ten years of being diagnosed, about twice as many as those with a low genetic risk.
Data from five countries
"We show that early-onset depression partly has different genetic causes than depression that affects older individuals and that the risk of suicide attempts is increased," says Lu Yi, senior researcher at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet, in a press release.
The study is a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and four universities in Norway, Denmark and Estonia, as well as the Nordic research network Tryggve. It is based on genetic data and healthcare registers from over 150,000 people with depression and 360,000 control subjects in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Estonia.
Can help healthcare professionals
“Our hope is that genetic information can help healthcare professionals identify people at high risk of suicide, who may need more support and closer follow-up,” says Lu Yi.
Going forward, the researchers will investigate how the differences are related to stress, life experiences, and brain development. They will also see if healthcare can use genetic risk profiles in suicide prevention.
In emergencies or if you have thoughts of suicide, always call 112.
A fellow person on duty can be reached at night at 08-702 16 80.
Priest on duty, available at night. Call 112 and ask to speak to the priest on duty.
Poison Information Center, 010-45 66 700, 24 hours a day.
The suicide line, available via chat and phone 90 101 24/7.
Parent Line, 020-85 20 00. Open weekdays 10:00–15:00 and Thursday evenings 19:00–21:00.
Bris: Call, email or chat. Phone: 116 111.
Source: mind.se
