Meta-analysis of gene-environment interactions in developmental psychopathology.
As studies of measured gene-environment interactions (G x E) in developmental psychopathology gain momentum, methods for systematically and quantitatively summarizing effects across multiple studies are urgently needed. Meta-analyses of G x E findings are critical for evaluating the overall statistical and theoretical significance of any given G x E based on cumulative and systematically combined knowledge. Although meta-analytic methods for the combination of study findings based on single effect measures such as odds ratios and mean differences are well established, equivalent methods for the meta-analysis of studies investigating interactions are not well developed. This article describes one simple approach to the meta-analysis of G x E effects using, as a contemporaneous example, the interaction of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene and the impact of childhood maltreatment on risk for developing antisocial behavior.
Taylor
Alan
A
Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Box Number PO80, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK. A.Taylor@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Kim-Cohen
Julia
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012931:Social Environment
D008995:Monoamine Oxidase