Using multiple data sources to stratify depression and identify more targeted drug treatments 

A person’s risk of developing depression is influenced by their experiences, environment and their genes. Good progress has been made in understanding the genes involved in depression.

I plan to use this genetic data along with additional information, including health factors and life events, to better understand an individual’s risk of depression. I will examine whether certain risk factors can be used to identify different types of depression. The biological causes of each subtype will then be examined which may allow more tailored treatments to be identified. Prescription data will then be used to assess the most appropriate treatments for each subtype.

The overall aim of this research is to better understand who is at risk of depression and to identify more effective ways of treating them.