ESTROGEN AND THE MENTAL STATE: MOLECULAR VARIATIONS WITHIN THE ESTROGEN RECEPTOR GENE MODULATE CLINICAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DEPRESSION

摘要

The application provides evidence that genetic variations in the human estrogen receptor gene (ESR) correlate with depression. The invention provides methods of diagnosing depression or susceptibility thereto by detecting variations in the human estrogen receptor gene. The invention also provides methods of treating depression by administering an agonist of estrogen binding to the estrogen receptor.