GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NEUROTIC-DISORDERS

We review the literature on the genetic epidemiology of four 'neurotic ' disorders along with the personality trait of neuroticism. Unipolar depression, phobic disorders, panic disorder, neuroticism, and, to a l esser extent, generalized anxiety disorder are familial. The familiali ty of these disorders and neuroticism appears to be due to genetic fac tors, particularly for unipolar depression and neuroticism. Despite su bstantial interest in the molecular genetics of unipolar depression, p anic disorder, and neuroticism, no genes have as yet been definitively identified. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.