Misconceptions about gene-environment interactions in psychiatry.
Misunderstandings surrounding the study of gene-environment interactions are very common. Given the large increase in the number of studies examining interactions in recent years, this raises serious concerns about the value of time and resources spent in these endeavours. In this article we discuss why, despite frequent claims to the contrary, studies of gene-environment interactions are very unlikely to enhance our understanding of disease aetiology or prevention.
Zammit
Stanley
S
MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK. zammits@cardiff.ac.uk
Owen
Michael J
MJ
Lewis
Glyn
G
D004777:Environment; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011570:Psychiatry; D012306:Risk