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The genetics of bipolar disorder
P Mitchell1, A Mackinnon, B Waters
1School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Kensington.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Bipolar disorder is a highly heritable condition. Ongoing genetic studies using DNA markers are essential to determine if it results from a single gene, a few genes, or multiple genes.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The genetics of psychoses, including bipolar disorder, are gaining attention with advances in molecular biology.
- Bipolar disorder is a complex psychiatric condition with significant public health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of bipolar disorder genetics.
- To highlight the need for further genetic research in bipolar disorder.
Main Methods:
- Review of family, twin, and adoption studies.
- Discussion of segregation analyses.
- Emphasis on ongoing linkage analyses using DNA markers.
Main Results:
- Family, twin, and adoption studies consistently confirm the strong heritability of bipolar disorder.
- Segregation analyses have not yet determined the specific mode of transmission.
Conclusions:
- Bipolar disorder is a strongly heritable psychiatric condition.
- Further genetic research, particularly linkage analyses, is crucial to elucidate the genetic architecture of bipolar disorder, whether it involves major genes or polygenic inheritance.