The Team
Jacob Vogel (Principal Investigator, Medical Faculty), Laura Wisse (Coapplicant, Medical Faculty), Tomas Björklund (Coapplicant, Medical Faculty)
The idea
Depression is more than a mental health challenge—it is linked to accelerated ageing and an increased risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Research suggests that shared biological mechanisms, including low-grade inflammation and epigenetic changes, may underpin both depression and age-related diseases. Epigenetics, which influences how genes are expressed without altering the DNA sequence, acts as a bridge between environmental stressors and biological responses. Evidence shows that patterns of DNA methylation (DNAm) are associated with depression severity, yet the details remain unclear. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to better treatments and predictive biomarkers.
This study explores how antidepressant interventions affect DNAm and whether these changes relate to treatment response and psychological resilience—the ability to adapt positively to adversity. Building on earlier findings, the research aims to explore potential links between molecular patterns and individual differences in recovery.
Why it matters
If successful, this approach could pave the way for personalised antidepressant strategies and new biomarkers, helping clinicians choose the right treatment earlier. It also deepens understanding of how biological ageing and mental health intersect—an insight that could transform care for depression and related conditions.