Research work · 2020
Genetic epidemiology: Overview
Frühling Rijsdijk, Paul F. O’Reilly
Practical Psychiatric Epidemiology
Abstract
This chapter demonstrates the principles behind some of the major genetic study designs used in psychiatry research. The first part focuses on behavioural genetic designs, while the second part describes designs for ‘gene mapping’. Behavioural genetics examines the genetic basis of behavioural phenotypes, including both disorders and ‘normal’ dimensional traits. The theoretical basis is derived from population genetics, including properties such as segregation ratios, random mating, genetic variance, and genetic correlation between relatives. The second part of the chapter deals with gene mapping designs, in which specific genetic variants or genomic regions associated with a disorder or trait are identified. A brief outline of the most popular current approaches to the analysis of the genetics of complex human disorders is also provided.