B3448 - Genome-wide association studies of prenatal depression in ALSPAC - 21/01/2020

B number: 
B3448
Principal applicant name: 
Jian Zhao | MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol (UK)
Co-applicants: 
Prof Deborah Lawlor
Title of project: 
Genome-wide association studies of prenatal depression in ALSPAC
Proposal summary: 

Prenatal depression has been reported to have associations with adverse pregnancy/ birth outcomes in previous observational studies. However, due to residual confounding, the causal effect of prenatal depression on these outcomes still remain unclear. Mendelian randomisation works well as a novel causal inference approach with utilising genetic variants as instrument variables. This aim of this project is to conduct genome wide association studies (GWAS) of prenatal depression to facilitate Mendelian randomisation studies in perinatal epidemiology area.

Impact of research: 
The results from ALSPAC will contribute to the knowledge on genetic effect on prenatal depression. Furthermore, causal evidence between prenatal depression and adverse pregnancy/ birth outcomes will be enhanced after Mendelian randomisation studies.
Date proposal received: 
Friday, 17 January, 2020
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 21 January, 2020
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Mental health, Pregnancy - e.g. reproductive health, postnatal depression, birth outcomes, etc., GWAS, Genome wide association study