Depression: Environment and Genetics to Blame

Researchers have long questioned the basis for depression. In the past, both genetics and environment have been blamed. Most recently, researchers are focusing on where these two factors intersect. In other words, how is depression affected when there is a genetic predisposition and when the early childhood environment is unstable? Their findings suggest that poor maternal parenting style, in conjunction with genetic heredity dramatically increase the risk for depression later in life. This provides important evidence that a dopamine related gene plays a significant role in the onset of depression. Science Daily has more on the study that looks at the intersection of nature and nurture as it relates to depression.