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Searching for the phenotypes of schizophrenia
R L Cromwell1, I J Elkins, M E McCarthy
1University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045-2462.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. Supplementum
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Clinical diagnosis is often used for genetic studies, but alternative phenotypes offer new possibilities. Resistance to interference and reaction time crossover show promise as reliable genetic research phenotypes.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral genetics
- Cognitive neuroscience
Background:
- Clinical diagnosis is a common phenotype for genetic studies.
- Limitations exist in using clinical diagnosis alone for genetic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the use of clinical diagnosis as a phenotype in genetic studies.
- To present criteria for selecting alternative phenotypes.
- To review recent research on four alternative phenotypes: resistance to interference, reaction time crossover, creativity, and socioeconomic achievement.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of the utility of clinical diagnosis as a phenotype.
- Presentation of criteria for evaluating alternative phenotypes.
- Review of empirical studies on four candidate alternative phenotypes.
Main Results:
- Resistance to interference from an associative prime.
- Reaction time crossover at a 3-second preparatory interval.
- Creativity and socioeconomic achievement were also examined as potential phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Resistance to interference and reaction time crossover are the most promising alternative phenotypes for genetic studies.
- These alternative phenotypes may offer greater precision and broader applicability than traditional clinical diagnoses.