Genetics and Psychiatric Disorders

Recentlt, there has been much research into, and subsequent advances in our understanding of, the genetic causes of psychiatric illness. Most neuropsychiatric diseases have a multifactorial background - both genetic and environmental factors are important for the development of the disease. The advantages of understanding the inherited component of a psychiatric disease are obviously great, and will eventually lead to more effective treatments. HoweveThe chapters in this volume are specifically concerned with the latest advances in finding biological and genetic markers for psychiatric disorders. An emphasis is placed on common diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. r, f or instance, monogenetic inherited diseases with psychiatric symptoms which can serve as models for the inheritance of psychiatric disorders are also discussed.