Risk factor in astrocytes for major depressive disorder identified!
Although researchers have successfully identified genetic loci associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), but the complex gene networks remain unresolved.
The researchers evaluated 94 human prefrontal cortex risk genes using co-expression studies and identified FADS1 (fatty acid desaturase 1) network as a central integrator across symptom clusters.
In astrocytes, FADS1 network regulate fatty acid metabolism and influence oligodendrocyte-related cell states.
The researchers showed FGF2 as a synaptic effector of this pathway and highlight PPARα (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) as a putative therapeutic target.
Thus, the researchers establish astrocyte fatty acid metabolism as a critical mechanistic contributor to MDD.
