31.0 Transmission of Major Depression Across Three Generations: Search for Biomarkers

Abstract

The increased risk of major depression in the offspring of depressed parents is well known. Whether this risk is transmitted beyond two generations is less known. This information is important for detecting individuals at highest risk for early intervention and possibly for biological marker studies. Data are presented on an up-to-30-year follow-up of a three generation cohort of grandchildren and their biological parents who were at high or low risk for major depression by virtue of their grandparents’ status of depression.