Statistical Modeling of GxE

The backbone of statistical modelling, i.e., ordinary least squares (OLS), will be presented in the context of a gene by environment interaction (GxE). Given the many assumptions and constraints made by OLS, extensions of this fundamental approach will be introduced. Although early measures of psychopathology tend to be continuous, diagnostics are generally used later in life; generalized linear models (GLM) will be presented to account for such binary or categorical data. Assuming that a single genetic variant and a single environmental measure of adversity interact to predict later psychopathology in a significant way is unrealistic; we will thus discuss of the many ways to account for multiple genetic variants and environmental measures. Associated examples and R code will be provided.