Common genetic liability to major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in men.
BACKGROUND
Major depression (MD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly comorbid. The degree to which a common genetic liability explains the etiology of the MD-PTSD association has not been quantified and has important implications for research and prevention.


METHODS
This paper presents an analysis of data from 6744 members of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. MD and PTSD were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule-III-R in 1991-92. Bivariate twin modeling was conducted to determine the genetic and environmental etiology of the MD-PTSD association.


RESULTS
The best-fitting model for the MD-PTSD association included a substantial genetic correlation (r=.77; 95% CI, .50-1.00) and a modest individual-specific environmental correlation (r=.34; 95% CI, .19-.48). Common genetic liability explained 62.5% of MD-PTSD comorbidity. Genetic influences common to MD explained 15% of the total variance in risk for PTSD and 58% of the genetic variance in PTSD. Individual-specific environmental influences common to MD explained only 11% of the individual-specific environmental variance in PTSD.


CONCLUSIONS
Our participants were male Vietnam era veterans and our findings may not generalize to civilians, females or other cohorts.


CONCLUSIONS
MD-PTSD comorbidity is largely explained by common genetic influences. Substantial genetic overlap between MD and PTSD implies that genes implicated in the etiology of MD are strong candidates for PTSD and vice versa. Environmental influences on MD and PTSD explain less of their covariation and appear to be largely disorder-specific. Research is needed to identify environmental factors that influence the development of MD versus PTSD in the context of common genetic liability.
Koenen
Karestan C
KC
Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States. kkoenen@hsph.harvard.edu
Fu
Qiang J
QJ
Ertel
Karen
K
Lyons
Michael J
MJ
Eisen
Seth A
SA
True
William R
WR
Goldberg
Jack
J
Tsuang
Ming T
MT
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004777:Environment; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D047829:Vietnam Conflict