Genes and Life Events in Depression

Genes can predispose individuals to depression, but the manifestation of depression depends on the interaction between genes and life events. Research has shown that a specific gene combination related to serotonin levels in the brain, known as short short, predisposes individuals to clinical depression if they experience a high number of traumatic life events. However, individuals with the short short combination are not more likely to become depressed if they have a positive life experience. The study emphasizes that both genetic predisposition and adverse life circumstances play a crucial role in determining whether someone develops clinical depression.