A research team from Chonnam National University (CNU) Medical School and CNU Hwasun Hospital has developed new biomarkers that enable early detection of depression and suicide risk through simple diagnostic tests. This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in addressing mental health challenges.

The collaborative effort, led by Professors Hyungseok Kim and Sujin Lee from the Department of Forensic Medicine, and Professor Min Jeon from the Department of Psychiatry at CNU Hwasun Hospital, identified blood-based biomarkers capable of predicting suicide risk and assessing the severity of depression. These biomarkers provide x-objective diagnostic indicators, which are more reliable than traditional mental health surveys such as the PHQ-9 questionnaire.

The research involved CNU medical student researchers—Suhyeon Lee (2nd year), Minha Kim (1st year), and Soyeon Kim (Master’s program)—who identified genes uniquely expressed in brain tissue samples of suicide victims and confirmed their presence in peripheral blood. These findings were clinically validated through trials at CNU Hwasun Hospital.

The team successfully developed three genetic biomarkers that accurately predict suicide risk in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Additionally, the biomarkers demonstrated the ability to differentiate severe MDD from mild cases, making them promising tools for monitoring treatment progress.

The study was supported by the National Forensic Service, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and CNU Hospital’s Physician-Scientist Training Program.

Professor Hyungseok Kim highlighted the importance of this research, stating that it represents a significant advancement in suicide prevention and introduces a new scientific approach in forensic medicine.