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Panic and phobic anxiety: defining phenotypes for genetic studies
1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA. smoller@warren.med.harvard.edu
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|September 12, 1998
Summary
Developing a genetic nosology is crucial for psychiatric genetics. This study explores defining heritable phenotypes for panic and phobic disorders, integrating categorical and dimensional approaches for better genetic insights.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatric Genetics
- Anxiety Disorders Research
Background:
- Phenotype definition is a key challenge in identifying genetic susceptibility for psychiatric disorders.
- A
- genetic nosology
- is proposed to classify individuals based on heritable psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply genetic nosology analysis to anxiety disorders, specifically panic and phobic disorders.
- To explore strategies for optimizing genetic approaches in anxiety research.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing two traditions in anxiety phenotype definition: clinical categorical diagnoses (e.g., panic disorder) and psychological dimensional traits (e.g., neuroticism).
- Examining anxious temperament, including behavioral inhibition.
Main Results:
- A genetic nosology for panic and phobic disorders may integrate both categorical and dimensional approaches.
- Strategies for genetic studies include focusing on phenotypic extremes, identifying biological trait markers, and utilizing animal models.
Conclusions:
- Refining the nosology of anxiety disorders may be a significant outcome of defining heritable phenotypes for genetic studies.
- Improved phenotype definition is essential for advancing the genetic understanding of anxiety disorders.