Understanding the genetic and environmental factors in major depression across diverse populations
Official title: Cross-Population Working Group on Genes and Environment in Major Depression (POP-GEM): Advancing the Understating of Etiology through Diversity
Funded at Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-10977072 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our genes and surroundings can affect major depression, especially by including different groups of people who haven't been studied much before, to help find better ways to understand and treat this condition for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $725,759 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH125938-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977072 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with major depression from various ancestral backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have major depression or those from populations already well-represented in genetic studies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the genetic and environmental influences on major depression (MD) by including diverse populations that have been historically underrepresented in genetic studies. By forming the Cross-Population Working Group on Genes and Environment in Major Depression (POP-GEM), the project will analyze genomic data from over 70,000 cases of MD from various ancestries. The goal is to identify genetic variants associated with MD and understand how these factors differ across populations, which could lead to better risk profiling and treatment options tailored to diverse groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of major depression for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that broadening the diversity of study populations can enhance the understanding of genetic factors in various diseases, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterson, Roseann Elizabeth — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Peterson, Roseann Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.