Unraveling the genetic architecture of major depressive disorder: merits and pitfalls of the approaches used in genome-wide association studies.

ABSTRACT: To identify genetic risk loci for major depressive disorder (MDD), two broad study design approaches have been applied: (1) to maximize sample size by combining data from different phenotype assessment modalities (e.g. clinical interview, self-report questionnaires) and (2) to reduce phenotypic heterogeneity through selecting more homogenous MDD subtypes. The value of these strategies has been debated. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings of large genomic studies that applied these approaches, and we highlight the merits and pitfalls of both approaches with particular attention to methodological and psychometric issues. We also discuss the results of analyses that investigated the heterogeneity of MDD. We conclude that both study designs are essential for further research.

SUBMITTER: Schwabe I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6877467 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature