How depression and Alzheimer’s genetic risk are linked
Multi-modal intersection of depression and genetic liability to Alzheimers disease
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · NIH-11169086
Researchers are looking for shared genetic signals between depression and Alzheimer’s disease to better understand why people with depression may develop memory problems later in life.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11169086 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work combines genetic and clinical data from over a million people across large cohorts to find DNA changes tied to both depression and Alzheimer's-related traits. The team will compare people by APOE-ε4 carrier status and by parental history of Alzheimer’s to see if genetic overlap differs by these risk factors. They will search for both coding and regulatory variants and connect those variants to brain gene expression, focusing on regions like the hippocampus. Findings will be checked in independent datasets to make sure results are robust.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a history of depression or with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, especially those known to carry APOE-ε4, are most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are due to non-Alzheimer causes or who do not have genetic or family-history data are less likely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify people at higher risk earlier and point to biological pathways for new prevention or treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Large genetic studies have previously found overlaps between psychiatric and Alzheimer-related genes and links to brain expression, but this multi-cohort, million-person genetic approach aims to extend and replicate those findings.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PATHAK, GITA A — ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- Study coordinator: PATHAK, GITA A
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome