M Alda1. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario. malda@rohcg.on.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Genetic factors are known to contribute to the etiology of bipolar illness, but the actual genetic mechanisms remain to be clarified. METHODS: This paper reviews the research undertaken to establish the genetic basis of bipolar illness and to elucidate the nature of its genetic predisposition. RESULTS: The presented findings suggest that bipolar affective disorder is a heterogeneous condition characterized by a complex relationship between the genetic susceptibility and the clinical presentation. Linkage studies have generated promising and replicated findings on chromosomes 18 and 21. CONCLUSION: In spite of the methodological difficulties inherent in the genetic study of psychiatric disorders recent investigations have made important advances and promise to identify specific susceptibility genes.
BACKGROUND: Genetic factors are known to contribute to the etiology of bipolar illness, but the actual genetic mechanisms remain to be clarified. METHODS: This paper reviews the research undertaken to establish the genetic basis of bipolar illness and to elucidate the nature of its genetic predisposition. RESULTS: The presented findings suggest that bipolar affective disorder is a heterogeneous condition characterized by a complex relationship between the genetic susceptibility and the clinical presentation. Linkage studies have generated promising and replicated findings on chromosomes 18 and 21. CONCLUSION: In spite of the methodological difficulties inherent in the genetic study of psychiatric disorders recent investigations have made important advances and promise to identify specific susceptibility genes.
Authors: A Duffy; G Turecki; P Grof; P Cavazzoni; E Grof; R Joober; B Ahrens; A Berghöfer; B Müller-Oerlinghausen; M Dvoráková; E Libigerová; M Vojtĕchovský; P Zvolský; A Nilsson; R W Licht; N A Rasmussen; M Schou; P Vestergaard; A Holzinger; C Schumann; K Thau; C Robertson; G A Rouleau; M Alda Journal: J Psychiatry Neurosci Date: 2000-09 Impact factor: 6.186