Genetic mapping identifies severe depression risk in youth

A study conducted by the Center for Research and Innovation in Mental Health (CISM) has demonstrated that genetic mapping can identify a predisposition to severe depression in children and adolescents. Following more than 2,100 participants in São Paulo and Porto Alegre, the research indicates that individuals with a higher polygenic risk score experience a more rapid worsening of symptoms as they transition into adulthood.

For youth already diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a high genetic risk load is linked to an increased probability of non-suicidal self-injury, such as cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. Published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, the study is notable for validating these genetic markers in a highly mixed population, such as the Brazilian population, whereas most previous research has focused on individuals of European descent.

Researchers from the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) noted that the study helps clarify the mechanisms behind the most severe forms of the pathology and confirms that genetic risk influences the evolution of symptoms during growth rather than just serving as a starting point for the disorder.