Genetic associations and candidate functional genes linking depression and obesity: a multi-omics integrative study.

Genetic analysis reveals shared downstream pathways involving cytoskeletal reorganization in depression and obesity, despite limited evidence for bidirectional causality.

• Why it matters: Understanding the genetic and molecular links between depression and obesity is crucial for developing targeted treatments, as their complex relationship remains poorly defined and clinically paradoxical.
• What they did: Using large-scale population data, bidirectional Mendelian randomization, and multi-omics approaches, the study identified candidate genes, cellular remodeling effects, and convergent molecular programs in T cells.
• The result: Findings suggest divergent molecular mechanisms with shared downstream pathways, highlighting potential therapeutic targets like FDFT1 and ADORA2A, and providing a foundation for future mood-metabolism interventions.