NEWMOOD

A BIG PROJECT ON THE GENETICS OF DEPRESSION

120 million people worldwide suffer from depression and psychological therapies are often more effective than drug treatments. At the Human Genome Meeting in Berlin, Germany, was launched a massive project to probe the genetics of depression: NEWMOOD. The study could lead to better animal models of depression, aiding the testing of new therapies. Researchers will build a microchip bearing 800 genes that may be related to depression, including those affecting metabolism, growth and cell communication. The chip will detect which genes are active in healthy and depressed animals and humans.

NEWMOOD has 7.3 million euros of funding from the European Union. It will take place in 13 laboratories in ten countries over the next five years.

BM&L- April 2004