Molecular genetics of mental disorders with particular reference to affective disorders

The present article reviews the recent molecular genetic findings in affective disorders. Results of linkage and association studies are discussed in regard to the main limitations of these approaches in psychiatric disorders. On the whole, linkage and association studies contributed to the localisation of some potential vulnerability genes for Bipolar affective disorder on chromosomes 18, 5, 11, 4, 21 and X. The hypothesis of anticipation in affective disorders is also considered in light of interesting results with trinucleotide repeat mutations.