The Genetics of Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

AbstractGenetic studies contribute to psychiatric research in two important ways. They provide information about diagnosis and classification of illness and identification of illnesses that may have a biological basis. Genetic research in psychiatry has traditionally taken an epidemiological approach because disease mechanisms at a molecular level continue to be poorly understood and few biological markers are available. Family studies have reported data on the rates of anxiety disorders in family members as well as on the patterns of transmission. Twin studies have helped determine the extent to which the familial clustering is genetic. Transmission models have been employed to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying the familial transmission of panic disorder. Recently, with the rapid evolution in molecular genetics, linkage studies have been used as well. Panic disorder has been viewed as a biological, hence genetic disorder whereas generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been seen as a stress-rel...