Understanding causes of depression, anxiety, and related conditions
An Integrative Approach to the Etiology of Internalizing Disorders in the Lifelines Cohort
['FUNDING_R01'] · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · NIH-11514443
Using long-term health, family, genetic, and gut microbiome data from adults, this project looks for what leads to depression, anxiety, and conditions like chronic fatigue.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (RICHMOND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11514443 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses data from Lifelines, a large group of over 167,000 adults in the North-Eastern Netherlands who have repeated health assessments every five years. Researchers combine medical histories, family relationships, genetics, blood tests, and gut microbiome samples to build models of risk for five internalizing disorders (major depression, dysthymia, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social phobia) and three related functional disorders (chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome). By comparing patterns across conditions and within families, the team aims to identify which causes are shared and which are specific to each condition. The analysis uses statistical, genetic, and multilevel modeling to separate environmental, familial, and molecular influences.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with a history of depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or irritable bowel syndrome, especially those willing to share medical records, family history, and biological samples.
Not a fit: People without these conditions, or those who are not part of the Lifelines cohort or cannot provide biosamples or family information, are unlikely to be able to participate or see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify causes and shared risk factors that lead to better prevention and more targeted treatments for depression, anxiety, and related disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous large cohort studies combining genetics and environmental data have found risk factors for mental and functional disorders, but using this full multilevel, family-based, microbiome-inclusive approach across multiple disorders is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
RICHMOND, UNITED STATES
- VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY — RICHMOND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KENDLER, KENNETH SEEDMAN — VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: KENDLER, KENNETH SEEDMAN
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: Chronic Fatigue Disorder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Chronic Infectious Mononucleosis-Like Syndrome