Linkage Analysis in Psychiatry

Abstract

The success that linkage analysis is having in single-gene disorders (like cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy) has prompted researchers in psychiatry to apply it to more complex traits (like schizophrenia and affective disorders). In the latter, twin and family studies strongly suggest the presence of a genetic component. However, this component may not act as a single-gene; thus, the lod scores resulting from applying linkage analysis (whether positive or negative) require a very cautious interpretation. We will discuss some of the problems encountered when using this method to study psychiatric disorders.