Molecular genetics and the epidemiology of common mental disorders: new opportunities.

Abstract

AIM: To describe the rationale for introducing molecular genetic analyses to psychiatric epidemiology. This offers new possibilities for aetiological research on common mental disorders. METHODS: In addition to the traditional variables used in field surveys, it is now possible to include molecular genetic information. This is currently done by looking for allelic associations rather than by linkage analysis, and can be directed either at traits conferring susceptibility or at states. The purpose is to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) by examining candidate genes. An alternative strategy is genome scanning, which can identify genes by their chromosomal position with increasing resolut..