Genetic Linkage in Mental Illness.
Limitations and Prospects
M. Baron, J. Endicott, J. Ott
British Journal of Psychiatry , 157, 645--655 (1990 Nov)
Abstract
Advances in genetic linkage strategies, including techniques of
molecular genetics, augur well for the discovery of disease-related
genes in mental disorders. Recent studies showing linkage of
chromosomal loci to bipolar affective illness and schizophrenia
attest to the potential in the 'new genetics'. However, the failure
to replicate some of the early findings has led to calls for
re-evaluation of the methodology in psychiatric research. Problems
in studying complex (psychiatric) disorders include diagnostic
uncertainties, unclear mode of transmission, aetiological
heterogeneity, cohort effects, and assortative mating. Knowing the
potential pitfalls in linkage analysis of mental illness should
avert spurious findings and will increase the prospects of success.
