Genetic Strategies in Psychiatric Disorders

A variety of strategies and methods are used in investigating the nature of the underlying susceptibility genes and the genomics of psychiatric disorders. In this primer, the authors introduce basic concepts of genetics and describe various study designs and analysis strategies in psychiatric genetics. The authors highlight some of our collaborative findings in the genetics of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to illustrate various methods being used by practitioners in the field. The authors also briefly summarize articles included in this issue that highlight recent findings in autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia and that describe ethical implications of clinical genetics as it pertains to psychiatric disorders.