Fifty years of the double helix and its impact on psychiatry.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the impact of Watson and Crick's double helix discovery on the field of psychiatry.


METHODS
Psychiatric research studies using molecular genetic techniques are summarized. The implications of these findings in terms of our understanding and treatment of mental illness are discussed.


RESULTS
There now exists growing evidence of candidate gene sites for a variety of psychiatric disorders ranging from schizophrenia to reading disability.


CONCLUSIONS
The field of psychiatric genetics has become one of the most vital and productive areas of psychiatric research. New findings are continually coming to light, bringing us ever closer to understanding these complex disorders at a molecular level. Such knowledge could lead to improved drug treatments, screening of at-risk individuals and even a reduction in the stigma attached to psychiatric disorders.
McGuffin
Peter
P
MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's Colllege, London, De Crespigny Park, UK. p.mcguffin@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Southwick
Linda
L
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000235:genetics; D002882:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 / Q000235:genetics; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / Q000235:genetics; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics; D014481:United States
D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA