Unraveling the genetic code of bipolar disorder

In a recent study posted on medRxiv* Using the preprint server, researchers investigate genetic associations and heritability between categorical and dimensional bipolar disorder (BD) models.

study: Strong genetic overlap between dimensional and categorical models of bipolar disorder in family samples. Image credit: My Ocean Production / Shutterstock.com

*Important Notices: medRxiv Publishes preliminary scientific reports that have not been peer-reviewed and should therefore not be considered definitive, to guide clinical practice or health-related actions, or to be treated as established information. not.

What is BD?

BD is a mental health disorder characterized by cyclical fluctuations between depression and mania and behavioral states that make it difficult to function and perform daily activities. According to recent estimates, 2-4% of her U.S. adults will experience BD at some stage in her life. Importantly, BD is commonly misdiagnosed or goes unrecognized years after symptoms first appear.

Asymptomatic BD symptoms that do not meet clear diagnostic criteria affect many people. As a result, there is now more emphasis on multifaceted psychopathological assessments, such as the Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ), which may better delineate the full spectrum of BD symptoms.

Despite the high prevalence of BD, little is known about the underlying environmental and genetic variables that cause this condition. Previous studies have shown that BD is highly heritable, with estimates of 60-85%. Nevertheless, information on genetic and heritable relationships between categorical and dimensional BD models is limited.

About research

In the current study, researchers are assessing genetic continuity between categorical and dimensional BD models. To this end, data from the Amish-Mennonite Bipolar Genetics (AMBiGen) study, which includes families with BD and related disorders from Mennonite and Amish communities in the Americas, were utilized.

A structured psychiatric interview was conducted, during which study participants were asked to complete an MDQ assessing a lifetime history of major manic symptoms and related disorders.

A total of 726 people were included in the current study, 212 of whom had a confirmed diagnosis of a major mood disorder. Using high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information, an important tool for assessing heritability has been created that integrates genomic data and genomic relationship matrices (GRMs).

A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to assess the MDQ dimensions. Genetic overlap and heritability between categorical diagnoses and MDQ-derived measures were estimated across participants by genotype.

The aim of the current study was to validate the MDQ as a dimensional assessment of BD and gain insight into the environmental and genetic variables that contribute to the development of this disorder. These findings could have a profound impact on how BD and related diseases are diagnosed, treated, and prevented.

research result

Significant genetic overlap was observed between categorical and dimensional BD models of family samples. Furthermore, study participants diagnosed with BD had higher MDQ scores than participants without a diagnosis of BD, demonstrating the reliability of MDQ as a dimensional BD metric.

Strong genetic connectivity and considerable heritability were observed for most of the components of the MDQ, reflecting significant genetic overlap in categorical and dimensional measures of BD.

The MDQ measures three features, including depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and disability. The heritability of the MDQ symptom score was 30% and was evenly distributed among its three main components.

Categorical diagnoses and impairments have the strongest genetic associations, indicating that impairments may contribute significantly to the genetic continuity between categorical and dimensional models of BD. I’m here.

Conclusion

Our results show that there is genetic continuity between the categorical and dimensional models of BD across family samples. These findings suggest that MDQ may be a valuable tool for determining who is at risk for BD and other related diseases.

In addition to providing valuable insight into the environmental and genetic factors that influence BD and similar diseases, the results of this study have the potential to improve the accuracy of prevention, treatment and diagnosis of BD and related diseases. I have.

Furthermore, future studies on genetic continuity between categorical and dimensional models of psychiatric disorders may benefit from the methods and results discussed in this study. The findings may also support the development of more effective treatments for mental illness by enabling a better understanding of the environmental and genetic factors that contribute to mental illness.

*Important Notices: medRxiv Publishes preliminary scientific reports that have not been peer-reviewed and should therefore not be considered definitive, to guide clinical practice or health-related actions, or to be treated as established information. not.