Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2025
04:20
Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
Published on: November 11, 2022
4.1K
Heritability and polygenic load for comorbid anxiety and depression
Fara Tabrizi1, Jörgen Rosén2, Hampus Grönvall3
1Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Ostersund, Sweden. fara.tabrizi@miun.se.
Translational Psychiatry
|March 27, 2025
Summary
Genetic factors significantly increase the risk for comorbid anxiety and depression. Higher genetic liability for depressive symptoms strongly predicts combined anxiety and depression, more so than for either condition alone.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatric Genetics
- Behavioral Genetics
- Twin Studies
Background:
- Comorbidity of anxiety and depression leads to poorer health outcomes.
- Understanding the genetic basis of comorbid anxiety and depression is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if genetic liability for comorbid anxiety and depression is greater than for isolated anxiety or depression.
- To assess the role of common genetic variation in comorbid anxiety and depression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 12,792 genotyped twins (ages 38-85) including 1,986 monozygotic and 1,594 dizygotic pairs.
- Heritability estimation using twin modeling.
- Assessment of polygenic scores (PGS) for depressive symptoms, anxiety, and other traits.
Main Results:
- Heritability of comorbid anxiety and depression was 79%, compared to 41% for anxiety and 50% for depression alone.
- Depressive symptom PGS predicted more variation in comorbid anxiety and depression (aOR=1.53) than other outcomes.
- Individuals in the highest PGS decile for depressive symptoms had over 5 times higher odds of medication for comorbid anxiety and depression.
Conclusions:
- Genetic factors explain substantially more variation in comorbid anxiety and depression than in anxiety or depression alone.
- Findings suggest a significant genetic overlap, potentially driven by depressive symptom liability.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings given data limitations.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Human Genetics
510
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
510
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
42
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
42
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
26
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
26
01:30Stress and Mental Health
68
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
68
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
19
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
19
01:18Polygenic Traits
64.5K
When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
64.5K