Genetics of Recurrent Early-Onset Depression

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00005914

Acronym

GenRED

Enrollment

2533

Registered

2000-06-16

Start date

1999-10-31

Completion date

2005-10-31

Last updated

2019-04-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression

Keywords

Depression, Depressive Disorder, Family, Genes, Genetic Techniques, Genetics, Linkage (Genetics), Nuclear Family, Recurrence, Severity of Illness Index

Brief summary

This nationwide study will create a DNA collection to permit qualified scientists to search for depression-related genes. More than 750 families with at least two siblings who have experienced major depression are needed for the study. Participants will be interviewed about psychiatric and family history, and will be asked to provide a small blood specimen. The identification of predisposing genes can lead to greater understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in severe depression which can in turn lead to the discovery of new treatments. A Certificate of Confidentiality from the federal government ensures that all information will be strictly confidential. Blood specimens are identified only by code number (not by name). Reimbursement is provided.

Detailed description

Studies of patterns of major depression in families suggest that 50 to 70% of the predisposition to major depression is caused by genes. People with recurrent depression and earlier ages of onset have more relatives with depression. There are probably at least several interacting genes, rather than a single gene as in some disorders. The identification of predisposing genes is likely to lead to greater understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in severe depression. This could lead to the discovery of new treatments. This study will create a DNA collection to permit qualified scientists to search for depression-related genes. More than 750 families with at least two siblings who have experienced major depression are needed for the study. Participants in this study will be interviewed about psychiatric and family history, and will be asked for a small blood specimen. Interviews can be conducted in person or by telephone. For telephone interviews, blood sample collection will be arranged at a location and time convenient for the participant. Participants will also be asked for help in inviting other family members to participate. No family member will be contacted without the permission and assistance of another participating family member. For information on a related study, please follow this link: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00260182

Interventions

None listed

Study design

Observational model

FAMILY_BASED

Time perspective

RETROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 70 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Families that have at least TWO ADULT SIBLINGS (brother/brother; sister/sister; brother/sister) who have experienced major depression. * Depression must be RECURRENT (more than one episode). * Depression must have started at age 30 or less in one sibling, and at age 40 or less in the other sibling.

Exclusion criteria

* Participants cannot have Bipolar I (manic-depressive) disorder or schizophrenia.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Major depressive disorder	One patient interview session (typically 2 hours), and blood draw (10-20 minutes)	Participants will attend an interview regarding personal and family history of psychiatric disorders, and give a blood specimen. Genotypes from blood samples will be studied for genetic linkage (within families) with the presence of major depressive disorder.

Countries

United States

Outcome results