The Internet-based MGS2 control sample: self report of mental illness

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Psychiatry
• Population Health

Background:

• The Molecular Genetics of Schizophrenia (MGS2) project aimed to build a control sample for genetic studies.
• Recruitment focused on non-Hispanic European-ancestry and African American adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To rapidly collect large, anonymized, and demographically representative control samples for genetic research.
• To validate the representativeness of the recruited sample against census and survey data.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 4,665 adult subjects (3,364 European-ancestry, 1,301 African American).
• Collected phenotypic data and blood samples via an internet-administered questionnaire.
• Compared sample demographics, anthropometrics, and psychiatric disorder prevalences with existing population data.

Main Results:

• The MGS2 control sample (N=4,665) is generally representative of the U.S. population, though slightly older, more female, educated, and affluent.
• Self-reported ancestry aligned with genotypic and census data.
• Internet-based data collection yielded DNA quality comparable to face-to-face methods.

Conclusions:

• Internet-based recruitment efficiently generated large, anonymized control samples.
• The MGS2 control sample is validated as representative for demography, ancestry, and morbidity.
• This resource can aid researchers in selecting appropriate controls for genetic studies.