What is Major Depression ?

Major depression is a common and disabling illness affecting more than 17 million Americans each

year. While brief periods of feeling "blue" in reaction to a life stress are common, major

depression includes several of the symptoms below, nearly every day for more than two weeks.
 

• a persistent sad mood.
• loss of interest or pleasure
• decreased energy, fatigue
• sleep problems
• difficulty concentrating, or making decisions
• hopelessness or pessimism
• feeling guilty, worthless, helpless
• feeling life is not worth living
• irritability
• excessive crying

There are many causes of major depression. Studies of families show that the parent, siblings,

children of a person with major depression which began before the age of 30 are 3 to 5 times

more likely to have major depression themselves. It is likely that some depressions are genetic.
 

What is a Genetic Disorder ?

A genetic disorder is an illness that is inherited or runs in families. Genes are passed from parent to

child. Shared genes give family members similar characteristics, such as hair color and eye color.

Genes also increase susceptibility to certain diseases. We are trying to learn if genes are

associated with major depression. This discovery would offer new hope for treatment and

prevention.
 

Genetic Sibling Study

One strategy for locating major depression genes involves comparing the genetic material of

siblings (brothers or sisters) with major depression disorder. The similarities we discover may

provide clues to the gene's location.
 

The Genetic Sibling Study of Depression at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia

University is funded through a grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health. This is part of a

multisite project which also includes: University of Pennsylvania, John Hopkins University, Iowa

University, Rush University and Pittsburgh University. The Columbia site, under the direction of

Myrna M. Weissman, Ph.D., includes clinicians, molecular biologists, statisticians, and

epidemiologists.
 

Are you eligible ?

We are looking for families where 2 or more siblings have major depression. Subjects will be

asked to participate in an interview and to donate a small amount of blood. Participants will be

paid for their efforts. In order to be eligible you must:
 

• be age 21 to 70
• have experienced major depression before age 30
• have a living sibling who has had major depression before age 40

You will be paid $25-$75 for your participation. If you think you may be eligible and would be interested in talking

confidentially about this study with a member of our professional staff, please contact:
 
 

We need to remind Internet users that we can not guarantee the confidentiality of inquiries submitted via email. Caution should

be exercised when sending information in this format.
 

http://www.nyspi.org