Depression treatment could be revolutionised thanks to breakthrough involving Queensland researchers

Treatment for depression could be revolutionised with new and more effective drug options thanks to a breakthrough involving Queensland researchers.

Depression can impact one in five Australians, and Queensland researchers involved in the world's largest genetic study into the disorder have made a major breakthrough.

They are helping uncover hundreds of previously unknown genetic links to the condition.

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The study included researchers from QIMR Berghofer and the The University of Queensland, who analysed genetic data from 680,000 people with depression. They found a total of 697 genetic variants linked to the condition - that's almost double the number previously found.

It has given fresh hope for improved, more personalised treatment options.

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"We know most of these genes play a role in brain function and how the brain signals or responds to stimulus such as stress or lack of sleep," Dr Brittany Mitchell from QIMR Berghofer said.

It means there might be medication already available that targets the same brain pathways that could be repurposed to treat depression, for example drugs used to treat chronic pain or sleep disorders.

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The findings could also open the doors to more personalised treatment, as more is discovered about how the genes function.

But treatment for depression can be complex and for most people medication is just one piece of the puzzle.

"You've got to find the right mix of treatments that work for you and often that can be a mix of talking therapy, medication, lifestyle changes," Dr Luke Martin from Beyond Blue said.