THE COMPLEXITY OF MOLECULAR-GENETIC RESEARCH IN PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS- ADVANCES AND PITFALLS

This article describes the major techniques in molecular generics, i.e ., parametric and nonparametric linkage analyses, association studies and quantitative trait loci approaches. Some major molecular findings in schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and Alzheimer disease are presented. Aspects of the complexity of molecular genetic research in psychiatric disorders are discussed, including the relationship betwe en genotype and phenotype, and between etiology and pathophysiology. M olecular findings in two genetic neuropsychiatric disorders, fragile X syndrome and Huntington's disease are described. These findings provo ke some critical thoughts regarding future directions in psychiatric m olecular research.