Neurogenetics of depression: a focus on reward processing and stress sensitivity.

ABSTRACT: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is etiologically complex and has a heterogeneous presentation. This heterogeneity hinders the ability of molecular genetic research to reliably detect the small effects conferred by common genetic variation. As a result, significant research efforts have been directed at investigating more homogenous intermediate phenotypes believed to be more proximal to gene function and lie between genes and/or environmental effects and disease processes. In the current review we survey and integrate research on two promising intermediate phenotypes linked to depression: reward processing and stress sensitivity. A synthesis of this burgeoning literature indicates that a molecular genetic approach focused on intermediate phenotypes holds significant promise to fundamentall

SUBMITTER: Bogdan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3570616 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature