Genomic clues to how pollutants raise depression risk in Mexican American families
Official title: Research Project 2 - Genomic Approaches to Pollutome Effects on Risk of Major Depression in Hispanic Pedigrees
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11421465 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how environmental pollutants may contribute to major depressive disorder in multi-generational Mexican American families, using genomic and pollutant measurements to find risky factors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $543,810 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HG013247-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421465 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals from Mexican American families with a history of major depressive disorder or related risk factors, who can provide biospecimens and health information.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of depression or without access to participation sites may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will measure levels of specific pollutants in people from large Mexican American family groups and combine these data with genomic information to understand how environmental exposure influences the risk of recurrent major depressive disorder. The study uses familial data to trace inherited risk and identify pollutant-related determinants across generations. Through advanced genomic analyses and environmental exposure assessments, the project aims to uncover links between pollutants and depression risk that could inform prevention and personalized care. Participants would contribute biological samples and health information to help clarify the role of environment and genetics in MDD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify environmental and genetic factors that raise depression risk, guiding prevention and tailored treatments for at-risk individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests environmental exposures can influence depression risk, making this approach promising though the exact pollutant-genetic links are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blangero, John — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Blangero, John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Trans-Nordic look at extreme major depression genetics
A large genetics study is exploring what makes extreme forms of major depression unique, by studying many thousands of people and their DNA.
-
Genetic factors behind alcohol and opioid use disorders and depression in veterans
A study using genetic data from veterans to understand how genes contribute to co-occurring alcohol use, prescription opioid use, and depression.
-
Global Deep Learning effort to predict depression treatment response
A patient-focused project uses AI on brain scans to predict who with major depression will respond to rTMS treatment.
-
Understanding immune dysfunction and social stress in veterans with depression
A study in U.S. veterans with major depressive disorder looks at how stress-related immune changes may be linked to depression and heart health.
-
Risk pathways to major depression using big Danish and Swedish data
A large study using health and genetic data from Denmark and Sweden will help understand what genetic and environmental factors contribute to major depression across how people grow up.
-
Understanding genetic and environmental pathways to major depression in Nordic health records
A large study will look at how genes and life experiences combine over time to influence major depression, using Danish and Swedish population data.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.