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Finding gene-environment interactions for generalised anxiety disorder

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience volume 258, pages 69–75 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly apparent that genetic research into psychiatric disorders would benefit from consideration of the environment because these risk mechanisms are likely to interact. Despite generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) being one of the most prevalent disorders presented in primary care, there is a paucity of published studies of gene-environment interactions (G × E) for this phenotype. This article describes how our current knowledge of GAD is useful in designing studies of G × E for GAD. To increase the chances of identifying replicable G × E for GAD further information is needed with regards to: defining and measuring GAD, difficulties co-occurring with GAD, quantitative genetic estimations for GAD, specific genes associated with GAD, and specific environmental risks for GAD.

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Acknowledgements

Thalia C. Eley is funded by a Medical Research Council Career Development Award. The authors thank Megan Crawford and Jessica Holland for assistance in preparing this article.

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Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Goldsmiths College, University of London, London, UK

    Alice M. Gregory

  2. Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK

    Alice M. Gregory, Jennifer Y. F. Lau & Thalia C. Eley

  3. Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA

    Jennifer Y. F. Lau

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  1. Alice M. Gregory
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  2. Jennifer Y. F. Lau
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  3. Thalia C. Eley
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Correspondence to Alice M. Gregory.

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Gregory, A.M., Lau, J.Y.F. & Eley, T.C. Finding gene-environment interactions for generalised anxiety disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosc 258, 69–75 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-007-0785-4

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Key words

  • generalized anxiety disorder
  • anxiety
  • genes
  • environment