Abstract

Several psychiatric disorders — such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and autism — are highly heritable, yet identifying their genetic basis has been challenging, with most discoveries failing to be replicated. However, inroads have been made by the incorporation of intermediate traits (endophenotypes) and of environmental factors into genetic analyses, and through the identification of rare inherited variants and novel structural mutations. Current efforts aim to increase sample sizes by gathering larger samples for case–control studies or through meta-analyses of such studies. More attention on unique families, rare variants, and on incorporating environment and the emerging knowledge of biological function and pathways into genetic analysis is warranted.

Author affiliations

1. Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, 5061 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA.
2. Department of Psychiatry and Depression Center, University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Road; Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5734, USA.
3. Department of Human Genetics, 4909 Buhl Building, 1241 East Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5618, USA.
4. Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, M4140 SPH II, 109 South Observatory Sreet, Ann Arbor Michigan 48019-2029, USA.

Correspondence to: Margit Burmeister^1,2,3 Email: margit@umich.edu

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