Familial Aggregation of Major Depression Predicts Risk of Major Depression

Gronemann et al reported in JAMA Psychiatry: “In this cohort study of 2,903,430 individuals, maternal, paternal, full sibling, or half-sibling with MD were associated with 2-fold higher risks of MD in men and women….(E)xposure to family MD during childhood and adolescence was associated with increased risk. The risk increased with number of affected family members; (however) individuals exposed when 30 years or older had markedly lower risk.

Editors Note: Even depression in grandparents adds further to the risk of depression.  When there is high familial loading for depression and other psychiatric illnesses, one should be alert to the possible onset of depression in young individuals and treat them early and well accordingly.

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