How To Make A Million (Mdd Cases) – The Australian Contribution

Abstract

More may be better in GWAS, but ensuring you have more of what you actually want is critical for success. In Australia, we have launched a study titled “Genetics of risk and response to treatment of depression”. Study recruitment was via two separate entry pathways. The first recruitment method used records of Australian Government-subsidised prescriptions to identify prospective participants with a recent history of being prescribed antidepressant medication. The second method used a large-scale coordinated appeal via broadcast, print and online media to engage interest from members of the public who have been treated for clinical depression. Both cohorts completed the same extensive online questionnaire to establish study eligibility and determine MDD sub-phenotypes. Selection biases inherent in the two recruitment methods, and differences in participant eligibility/retention rates and MDD sub-phenotype distribution between the two resulting cohorts, demonstrate the effect of recruitment methods on the potential success of large-sample recruitment for GWAS for psychiatric traits.