Genetics in child and adolescent psychiatry: methodological advances and conceptual issues

Abstract

Discovering the genetic basis of early-onset psychiatric disorders has been the aim of intensive research during the last decade. We will first selectively summarize results of genetic research in child and adolescent psychiatry by using examples from different disorders and discuss methodological issues, emerging questions and future directions. In the second part of this review, we will focus on how to link genetic causes of disorders with physiological pathways, discuss the impact of genetic findings on diagnostic systems, prevention and therapeutic interventions. Finally we will highlight some ethical aspects connected to genetic research in child and adolescent psychiatry. Advances in molecular genetic methods have led to insights into the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders, but not yet provided definite pathways to pathophysiology. If replicated, promising findings from genetic studies might in some cases lead to personalized treatments. On the one hand, knowledge of the genetic basis of disorders may influence diagnostic categories. On the other hand, models also suggest studying the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders across diagnoses and clinical groups.

Papa was a rollin’ stone: how father’s psychological distress impacts child’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms

“…With regard to genetics, many studies report that early onset psychopathology has heritability [59]. Interactions between genes and the environment are thought to increase or decrease an individual's risk for developing psychopathology [59]. The present study is unable to rule out the influence of genetics on the results that were obtained.…”

“…Other causal factors such as an additional caregiver, sibling psychopathology, unstable school or home environment, differences in family structure, and genetics are likely additional causal mechanisms. With regard to genetics, many studies report that early onset psychopathology has heritability [59]. Interactions between genes and the environment are thought to increase or decrease an individual's risk for developing psychopathology [59].…”

A Theory of Mental Health and Optimal Service Delivery for Homeless Children

“…Maternal depression has been identified as both a predictor (Curtis et al 2014) and an outcome (Bassuk and Beardslee 2014) of homelessness, and rates of other psychiatric disorders among homeless mothers are elevated compared to the general population (Bassuk et al 1996). Genetic profiles may thus predispose caregivers and children to life events such as job loss, break-ups, or other conflicts that increase likelihood of homelessness, as well as contribute to vulnerability to development of mental health disorders following exposure (Amstadter et al 2016; Dougherty et al 2013; Hohmann et al 2015). Epigenetics research has shown environmental adversity for children and caregivers to alter gene expression, particularly with regards to stress regulation and behavior (Blaze et al 2015; Romens et al 2015).…”

Traditional Scales Diagnosis and Endophenotypes in Attentional Deficits Disorders: Are We on the Right Track?

“…These findings, described by the authors, "are compelling, but only capture a tiny fraction of common variant risk for ADHD" [88]. Furthermore, the contribution of these genes to ADHD heritability is very low [89] and recent studies suggest that we have to look at how the different genes interact each other and with environmental etiological factors [90].…”