Research Projects

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has significant medical and sociological consequences, affecting quality of life and adaptability. Its death due to suicides is a serious concern for families and society. Genetic factors contribute to depression risk, with several theories postulated regarding its pathogenesis, including the monamine theory, cytokine theory, circadian rhythm theory, and disturbances in neurogenesis/neuroplasticity. To identify a proper diagnosis mechanism, genes associated with stress, circadian rhythm, and other candidates should be screened for variation in association with behavioral changes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Diagnosing MDD can be challenging due to the presence of other diseases that mimic it, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and seasonal affective disorders. Diagnosis is mainly based on behavioral screening and patient-reported symptoms, confirmed by the Hamilton Scale for Depression and DSM-V criteria. Currently, there are no molecular diagnostic markers or tools to diagnose depression at molecular or functional level. However, structural and functional MRI (fMRI) studies have shown potential in aiding diagnosis and treatment planning of MDD. The proposed study aims to explore altered genes involved in different pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of depression and correlate significant variants with fMRI findings and behavioral symptoms in patients with MDD. The outcome could lead to a quick diagnostic strategy based on molecular markers, fMRI findings, and behavioral symptoms.