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Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of candidate genes in depression have had limited success, with some studies not replicating previous findings and others failing to identify susceptibility genes. These researchers performed GWASs, cell and imaging studies, and animal studies.
First, the researchers identified a candidate gene, which codes for a transporter of large amino acids in the central nervous system, in a case-control GWAS and replicated the finding in six independent samples (total of 4088 patients and 11,001 healthy controls). The investigators subsequently explored “intermediate phenotypes” previously linked with depression pathophysiology. Among their findings:
The gene was shown to control expression of the relevant messen…