Depression: Genetics of Recurrent Early-onset Depression

Contact name: Dr. Kathleen Murphy-Eberenz

Phone: (877)-407-9529

Fax: (0)-0-0

Email: genred@mail.med.upenn.edu

Disorder: Depression

Geographic location: Nationwide

Other keywords: Major Depression, Genetics, Family Study

Participant compensation: $75

Time commitment required: 2-3 hour interview and a blood sample

Drug trial: No

Recruitment end date (approximate): July 28, 2006

Study criteria (i.e., age or gender requirements):
* People who have had 2 or more periods of depression.
* The first depression started before age 31.
* At least one brother, sister or parent has also had depression (starting
before age 41).

Exclusion criteria:
* We are unable to include people with bipolar disorder, or with bipolar disorder in the immediate family.

Brief description of study:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SOLVING THE GENETICS OF MAJOR DEPRESSION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Studies of depression in families suggest that around 50% of the predisposition to major depression is caused by genes. People with recurrent depression that starts at a younger age have more relatives with depression. There are probably many interacting genes, rather than a single gene as in some medical disorders. Identifying these genes would help us to understand the brain mechanisms involved in severe depression. This could lead to discovery of new treatments. The study will create a DNA collection from over 2,000 people to permit scientists to search for depression-related genes.
** These scientists will not be given any information that could identify you or your family.
** If you have other family members who wish to participate, they may be eligible, but their participation is not required.
** You do not need to live near one of our sites to participate.

Additional information:
6 sites are participating in this nationwide study. Feel free to contact our National Coordinating Center or any local site for more information.
*
University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
Dr. Kathleen Murphy-Eberenz
phone: (215) 746-5153
email: kme@mail.med.upenn.edu
website: http://depressiongenetics.med.upenn.edu/Depression/depressionstudy.htm
*
Columbia University (New York, NY)
Dr. Randye Semple
phone: (212) 543-6731
email: sempler@childpsych.columbia.edu
website: http://www.nyspi.org/depression
*
Howard University (Washington, DC)
Oreisa O’Neil
phone: (301) 792-3092
email: Ooneil04@yahoo.com
*
Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
phone: (410) 614-1017
email: moods@jhu.edu
website: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/moods/genetics
*
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
Nancy Hale
phone: 877-578-8845 (toll-free)
email: nancy-hale@uiowa.edu
*
Rush University Hospital (Chicago, IL)
Diana Marta
phone: (312) 563-2843
email: Diana_H_Marta@rush.edu