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Neuroticism, major depression and gender: a population-based twin study.
A Fanous1, C O Gardner, C A Prescott
1Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, USA.
Psychological Medicine
|July 10, 2002
Summary
Genetic factors link neuroticism (N) and major depression (MD). This study found no significant sex difference in their genetic correlation, suggesting shared genetic influences on these traits in both men and women.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Psychiatry
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Neuroticism (N) and major depression (MD) share genetic risk factors.
- Females exhibit higher N and MD rates, suggesting potential sex differences in genetic correlation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic correlation between neuroticism and major depression.
- To determine if this genetic correlation differs between sexes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized twin studies (MZ and DZ pairs) with structured interviews for MD (DSM-III-R) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire for N.
- Applied a sex-limited Cholesky model to analyze genetic and environmental components of N and MD correlations.
Main Results:
- The best-fitting model included additive genetic and individual-specific environmental factors for N and MD.
- Within-sex genetic correlations were +0.68 in men and +0.49 in women.
- A model constraining the genetic correlation equally across sexes (+0.55) fit nearly as well, indicating no significant sex difference.
Conclusions:
- No significant sex difference was found in the genetic correlation between neuroticism and major depression.
- Results suggest shared genetic influences and potential sex-specific genetic factors for N and MD.
- Findings have implications for affective disorder classification, treatment, and molecular genetic research.