Which genes make people more susceptible to depression and other psychiatric disorders?

A UB study identifies the ‘RBFOX1’ gene as a key regulator of nearly 20 genes linked to vulnerability to these disorders

University of Barcelona

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Researchers Bru Cormand and Noèlia Fernàndez, from the Faculty of Biology and the Institute of Biomedicine at the UB.

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Credit: UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

A study by the University of Barcelona has identified nearly 20 genes that could contribute to some people being more susceptible to depression, anxiety and traits such as irritability and neuroticism. These genes are regulated by the RBFOX1 gene, which acts as the central hub of a genetic network linked to several key processes in brain function. According to the researchers, this genetic overlap between different disorders and traits could help explain why they often appear together in the same person.

“These results provide a new insight into the biological mechanisms shared by depression and various associated disorders, and could contribute in the future to the development of more personalized biomarkers and treatments,” explain the researchers who coordinated the study, Bru Cormand and Noèlia Fernández, from the Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics at the Faculty of Biology and the Institute of Biomedicine of the UB (IBUB), the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD) and the CIBER Area for Rare Diseases (CIBERER).

The study, published in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, also involved researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany).

A genetic “orchestra conductor”

The role of the RBFOX1 gene as a key regulator of a gene network would imply that this gene does not act alone or have a single effect, but rather functions “like a kind of orchestra conductor, helping to coordinate when and how many other genes involved in brain function are activated or processed,” the researchers explain.

This finding is particularly relevant in complex psychiatric disorders, because conditions such as depression, anxiety or neuroticism do not usually depend on a single gene, but on the small, cumulative effects of hundreds or even thousands of genes. “If a central regulator such as RBFOX1 is altered, it could trigger a chain reaction across multiple processes simultaneously, such as neuronal development, communication between neurons and the regulation of neurotransmission, which would explain why these disorders often occur together,” stress Cormand and Fernández.

This study integrates information from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), gene expression prediction in the brain, molecular network analysis and rare disease studies to prioritize genes that contribute to depression and, at least, one other related trait. “The study of rare diseases provides a complementary perspective, as it allows the identification of genes in which mutations of large effect produce phenotypes that include depression or anxiety. This reinforces the biological plausibility of the genes identified in common disorders and helps to prioritize relevant candidates,” they note.

This comprehensive analysis identified 19 genes regulated by RBFOX1 that appear to be particularly relevant to depression and other traits frequently observed in patients. Among them, the researchers highlight, in addition to RBFOX1 as the central hub, three genes that also regulate the expression of other genes (SP4, TCF4 and PAX6), as well as the CADM2 gene. “In addition to being associated with depression, these genes have also been linked to other disorders: RBFOX1 is associated with several psychiatric disorders; CADM2 is involved in addictions and other psychiatric disorders; TCF4 has been linked to schizophrenia and insomnia, and both SP4 and PAX6 have been found to be altered in mouse models under stress,” explain Cormand and Fernández.

Boosting personalized treatments

These results improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in depression and related disorders and, in the future, could help identify risk biomarkers, enhance patient stratification and facilitate the development of treatments targeting specific molecular pathways. In this regard, the researchers point out that “intervening on shared mechanisms could simultaneously benefit various disorders that often co-occur in patients.”

Despite the relevance of these findings, the researchers point out that they will need to be validated in other samples and that differences between men and women must be explored, given the higher prevalence of depression among women. They also propose carrying out functional experiments — laboratory studies that analyse how a specific gene acts and what effects its alteration has — on genes such as CADM2, which would allow us to determine which molecular mechanisms are involved in the origin of depression and the disorders associated with it.

 Which genes make people more susceptible to depression and other psychiatric disorders? [AUDIO] 

 UB researchers, Bru Cormand and Noèlia Fernàndez Castillo, explain the results of the research.

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Journal

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The RBFOX1 regulatory gene network contributes to major depressive disorder, anxiety, irritability and neuroticism

 

Tiny spatial shifts reshape coastal zooplankton communities in the Baltic Sea

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South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Maximise your research impact: publish open access in Biological Diversity. Fees currently waived.

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Credit: Biological Diversity Editorial Office

Date: July 17, 2026

Uppsala, Sweden: A new open-access study published in Biological Diversity uncovers critical fine-scale spatial heterogeneity of mesozooplankton across three brackish bays of the Central and Eastern Baltic Sea, overturning the longstanding monitoring assumption that plankton communities remain spatially uniform over coastal waters. Led by Neele Schmidt and Amanda Adam Jansson from Uppsala University, the research highlights salinity and temperature as core environmental drivers shaping distinct zooplankton assemblages both between separate bays and within individual embayments at sub-kilometre scales.

The team surveyed Baggensfjärden, Kappelshamnsviken and Tvären in June 2022, deploying a 100 μm WP2 closing net to collect vertically integrated mesozooplankton samples (>200 μm) at three replicate stations per bay. Hydrographic profiles of temperature and salinity were captured via multiparameter probes at each bay’s deepest site, while lab processing split preserved samples for taxonomic identification and standardized abundance counting per cubic metre. Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) with Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and vegan-based diversity metrics were applied to compare community structures across spatial gradients.

Clear inter-bay community separation emerged tied to salinity gradients. Kappelshamnsviken, the most marine bay with deep-water salinity up to 9, hosted high densities of calanoid copepods Pseudocalanus sp. and Temora sp., alongside the highest Shannon–Wiener diversity and evenness values. In contrast, lower-salinity Tvären and Baggensfjärden were dominated by rotifers; Tvären recorded the highest total zooplankton abundance (46,241 ± 25,941 ind/m³) yet lowest community evenness, with one taxon overwhelmingly dominant.

Strikingly, distinct mesozooplankton assemblages formed within less than 1 km inside single bays, driven by temperature and depth stratification. Deeper sites favoured Pseudocalanus sp., while shallow zones held cyclopoid copepods and branchiopods. Kappelshamnsviken exhibited stronger within-bay variability due to open-sea water exchange and steep depth gradients, unlike the more sheltered, homogeneous Tvären and Baggensfjärden.

These findings carry direct implications for Baltic fisheries and coastal conservation. Copepod-rich bays support herring and sprat populations, while rotifer-dominated embayments favour sticklebacks. As zooplankton act as sensitive bioindicators of eutrophication and climate change, the study stresses that sparse, single-site sampling risks overlooking vital ecological niches. Aligned with the Essential Ocean Variable (EOV) framework, the authors urge coastal monitoring programmes to adopt multi-station, fine-scale sampling designs to accurately capture full zooplankton community variation.

Limited to early-summer mesozooplankton snapshots, the work calls for expanded seasonal sampling and broader environmental variable tracking to generalise spatial patterns across the full Baltic annual cycle.

 

Mesozooplankton assemblages differed significantly both between and within Baltic Sea bays, driven mainly by local salinity and temperature gradients. Distinct communities occurred over distances of less than 1 km, demonstrating strong fine-scale spatial variability. These findings show that coastal monitoring programs require multiple sampling sites at fine spatial scales to accurately capture environmental heterogeneity and associated plankton assemblages.

Credit

Neele Schmidt, and Amanda Adam Jansson

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Journal

Biological Diversity

DOI

10.1002/bod2.70032 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Between and Within Bay Differences in Mesozooplankton Assemblages in the Central and Eastern Baltic Sea: An Exploratory Study

Article Publication Date

15-Jul-2026

COI Statement

Ethics Statement: The authors have nothing to report. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

 

World’s first gene edited Culicoides biting midges

Scientists edit the genome of tiny biting midges, opening door to new research on disease transmission

The Pirbright Institute

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A Culicoides midge after a blood meal.

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Credit: The Pirbright Institute

Scientists have successfully edited the genome of biting midges, opening the door to new research on how these insects transmit disease. Culicoides biting midges are small blood‑feeding insects responsible for spreading important vector‑borne viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV), and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), which cause major losses to livestock production worldwide. Despite their importance as disease vectors, Culicoides are amongst the smallest blood‑feeding insects, just 1-4 mm in length, making them difficult to study in the laboratory. Writing in Scientific Reports, researchers from The Pirbright Institute explain how they used a CRISPR‑based technique to modify the genome of Culicoides midges. The method involves injecting a mix of Cas9 enzyme and guide RNA (gRNA) molecules into female insects. These components are taken up by their oocytes (eggs), where they act like molecular scissors, cutting DNA at specific target locations and inducing mutations. Lead author Katherine Nevard (Insect Transgenesis Science Technology Platform scientist at The Pirbright Institute) said: "Due to the size and delicacy of Culicoides, initial attempts to perform gene editing in this species using traditional embryo microinjection methods were unsuccessful”. In early 2024, Katherine spent two months in the laboratory of Professor Jason Rasgon (Penn State University, USA), an expert in vector genetics and a pioneer of the technologies the team aimed to apply to Culicoides biting midges. During this time, she received training in intrathoracic injection techniques using the ReMOT Control method. On Katherine’s return, the team used intrathoracic injection to apply the recently developed DIPA‑CRISPR method and successfully mutated a gene that controls eye colour in midges, demonstrating that it works in a Culicoides species. Dr Rafael Homem, who leads the Insect Transgenesis Science Technology Platform at The Pirbright Institute, said: “This is the first demonstration of CRISPR‑based gene editing in any Culicoides species and that it provides a practical approach for genetic manipulation in these insects”. Dr Christopher Sanders, Head of Entomology at Pirbright, added: "These tools will enable new research and support efforts to better understand Culicoides-borne diseases. Culicoides midges transmit diseases affecting livestock and, in some cases, humans. Improving our understanding of their biology could help reduce disease transmission and improve both animal and human health”. The Pirbright Institute is core funded through UKRI BBSRC and collaborates widely with UK and international scientists. The team hopes the method will be adopted by other researchers to study gene function in Culicoides and ultimately contribute to better understanding and improved control of midge‑borne diseases.

Read the paper: CRISPR‑Cas9‑mediated knockout of the white gene in the bluetongue virus vector, Culicoides sonorensis
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-59276-2 - CRISPR-Cas9 mediated knockout of the white gene in the bluetongue virus vector, Culicoides sonorensis (biting midge) | Scientific Reports

A Culicoides midge after a blood meal

Credit

The Pirbright Institute

 

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Journal

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-026-59276-2 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

World’s first gene edited Culicoides biting midges

Article Publication Date

16-Jul-2026

 CRIMINAL  CAPITALI$M

Study finds some medical spas still selling compounded weight-loss drugs from pharmacies with regulatory concerns

CU Anschutz researchers found the compounded GLP-1 market remains robust after FDA shortages ended, with some products supplied by pharmacies lacking sterile compounding licenses or with recent disciplinary histories

University of Colorado Anschutz

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AURORA, Colo. (July 17, 2026) – Despite the end of federal shortages of popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications, the market for compounded alternatives remains strong – and some patients may unknowingly be receiving products from pharmacies with concerning regulatory histories, according to new research from the University of Colorado Anschutz.

Published today in JAMA Health Forum, the study found that many weight-loss clinics and medical spas continue to sell compounded versions of GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. Researchers also identified suppliers that lacked licenses required for sterile compounding or had recently been subject to disciplinary actions related to sterile compounding practices.

"Our findings suggest this market didn't shrink after the shortages ended as many expected," said lead author Michael J. DiStefano, PhD, MBE, assistant professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. "Instead, it has remained remarkably robust, raising important questions about how these products are regulated and how patients can know whether they're receiving medications that meet appropriate quality standards."

Compounded GLP-1 drugs expanded rapidly during nationwide shortages of Wegovy and Zepbound, when federal regulations temporarily allowed pharmacies to compound copies of medications in short supply. Researchers wanted to know what happened after those shortages ended and the FDA resumed enforcement against routine copies of commercially available products. DiStefano and colleagues examined brick-and-mortar weight-loss clinics and medical spas, an area that has received less scrutiny than online telehealth despite serving many patients.

Using a "secret shopper" approach, researchers contacted businesses in Oklahoma and West Virginia to ask what products were available, how patients were monitored and where the medications were sourced. The team identified 75 clinics and medical spas offering compounded GLP-1 medications. Instead of seeing the market disappear, the researchers found evidence that many compounded products now include added ingredients, such as vitamin B12, which may be presented as individualized formulations.

"One concern is whether we're seeing clinically meaningful personalization or changes that primarily allow compounded products to remain on the market," DiStefano said. "For many of these added ingredients, we simply don't have good evidence showing they improve safety or effectiveness."

Additionally, among the 23 compounding pharmacies supplying these businesses, four lacked licenses for sterile compounding, while several had recent disciplinary actions or FDA warning letters related to sterile compounding practices.

DiStefano emphasized that compounded GLP-1 medications have helped expand access for patients who cannot afford brand-name drugs or whose insurance does not cover obesity treatment.

However, he said patients should not have to choose between affordability and quality.

"This market has grown so large and diffuse that it's difficult for regulators to oversee every pharmacy supplying these medications," he said. "Our findings suggest there's a need for regulatory innovation that preserves access while giving patients greater confidence that the products they're receiving are safe and appropriately manufactured."

The researchers hope the findings encourage clinicians and patients to ask more questions about where compounded medications originate and whether the pharmacies producing them meet appropriate standards for sterile compounding.

Key Takeaways:

• Compounded GLP-1 medications remain widely available at many weight-loss clinics and medical spas despite the end of FDA shortages.
• Some clinics reported sourcing medications from pharmacies with regulatory concerns, including a lack of sterile compounding licenses or recent disciplinary actions.
• The study did not evaluate the safety or quality of the medications. It examined how compounded GLP-1 products are marketed and sourced.
• Researchers say patients should not have to choose between affordability and quality and call for greater transparency and oversight while preserving access.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What did the study find?

A University of Colorado Anschutz study published in JAMA Health Forum found that many weight-loss clinics and medical spas continue to offer compounded GLP-1 medications after FDA shortages ended. The researchers also identified some suppliers that lacked sterile compounding licenses or had recent disciplinary actions related to sterile compounding practices.

Does this study show that compounded GLP-1 medications are unsafe?

No. The University of Colorado Anschutz study did not evaluate the safety, quality or effectiveness of compounded GLP-1 medications. Instead, it examined how these medications are marketed and sourced by weight-loss clinics and medical spas.

Why is this study important?

The study highlights the need for greater transparency and oversight in the growing market for compounded GLP-1 medications. It also emphasizes that patients should not have to choose between affordable obesity treatment and confidence in the quality of their medications.

Why are patients still using compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide?

Many patients use compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide because brand-name GLP-1 medications can be expensive or are not covered by insurance. Compounded medications have expanded access to obesity treatment for many people.

What should patients know before using compounded GLP-1 medications?

Patients should talk with their healthcare provider about why a compounded GLP-1 medication is recommended, where it is produced, and whether the pharmacy meets appropriate sterile compounding standards. Patients should not stop taking prescribed medication based on this study alone without consulting their healthcare provider.

 

About the University of Colorado Anschutz
The University of Colorado Anschutz is a world-class academic medical campus leading transformative advances in science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus includes the University of Colorado’s health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals - UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado - which see nearly three million adult and pediatric patient visits each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, CU Anschutz delivers life-changing treatments, exceptional patient care and top-tier professional training. The campus conducts world-renowned research supported by $890 million in funding, including $762 million in sponsored awards and $128 million in philanthropic gifts for research.

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Journal

JAMA Health Forum

DOI

10.1001/jamahealthforum.2026.2207 

Article Publication Date

17-Jul-2026

Study shows where women live can shape heart health for decades

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute

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Boston, MA — Women who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods face worse heart health and experience faster decline as they approach menopause, according to a long-term study led by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.

Researchers followed 1,200 women in eastern Massachusetts for more than 20 years, from pregnancy into midlife. The study, published in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes, measured heart health at five time points using a score based on eight health and lifestyle factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep, diet, and physical activity.

Key findings

Women living in the most socially vulnerable neighborhoods scored about 6 to 10 points lower on heart health across more than two decades of follow-up, compared with those in the least disadvantaged neighborhoods. These differences were evident as early as three years after enrollment and persisted into midlife. They also experienced faster declines before menopause, a key period for rising cardiovascular risk.

Socioeconomic factors also shaped outcomes. Women with lower income, less education, or who identified as Non-Hispanic Black had lower heart health scores throughout the study.

Because heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, these findings highlight how long-term exposure to social and environmental conditions shapes cardiovascular risk over time.

Even modest differences in heart health scores may matter. Prior research suggests that small decreases in these scores are associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality, underscoring the potential long-term impact of these disparities.

“Our study shows that heart health in midlife is shaped by more than personal choices. Income, education, and neighborhood conditions may all play a role,” said senior author Izzuddin Aris, Harvard Medical School associate professor at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.

Neighborhood conditions continued to affect heart health even after researchers considered income and education. Women who lived for years in highly vulnerable neighborhoods had persistently lower scores and worse cardiovascular health trajectories.

“The years before and around menopause may be an important time to support women’s heart health,” Aris added. “This is especially true for women living in under-resourced neighborhoods.”

Implications for prevention

The findings highlight opportunities to improve access to healthy food, safe places to be active, and quality health care so women can protect their heart health over time.

About Project Viva

The study used data from Project Viva, a long-term research study that has followed women since pregnancy in the early 2000s through midlife. Researchers collected repeated health data over more than two decades, which allowed this study to capture long-term patterns in heart health.

Manuscript information

Lin Z, Rifas-Shiman SL, Perng W, Yi L, Manson JE, Joffe H, Hivert MF, Chavarro JE, Aris IM. Associations of sociodemographic and neighborhood vulnerability with cardiovascular health in midlife women in the US. Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes.

Research reported in this press release was supported by the National Institute on Aging and Office of Research on Women’s Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U54AG062322. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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About the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute’s Department of Population Medicine
The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute's Department of Population Medicine is a unique collaboration between Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Harvard Medical School. Created in 1992, it is the first appointing medical school department in the United States based in a health plan. The Institute focuses on improving health care delivery and population health through innovative research and education, in partnership with health plans, delivery systems, and public health agencies. Follow us on Bluesky, X, and LinkedIn.

 

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Journal

Circulation

DOI

10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.126.013433 

Article Title

Associations of Sociodemographic and Neighborhood Vulnerability With Cardiovascular Health in Midlife Women in the United States

Article Publication Date

17-Jul-2026