Twin Studies of Affective Illness

doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1976.01770120080008

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Vol. 33 No. 12, December 1976

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Twin Studies of Affective Illness

Martin G. Allen, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1976;33(12):1476-1478.

Abstract

• In a summary of the major twin studies of affective illness,there are significant differences between monozygotic (MZ) anddizygotic (DZ) concordance rates for both unipolar and bipolarillness, indicating the importance of genetic factors in theetiology of affective illness. However, since 28% of MZ twinsare discordant for bipolar illness and 60% of MZ twins are discordantfor unipolar illness, environmental factors are important aswell. In addition, there is a significant difference betweenunipolar and bipolar concordance for MZ twins (although notfor DZ twins). This supports other evidence that unipolar andbipolar illness are separate entities, and it suggests the possibilitythat genetic factors are more important in the occurrence ofbipolar illness than in unipolar illness.

Author Affiliations

From the Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, DC.

Footnotes

Accepted for publication Feb 16, 1976.

Reprint requests to Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown UniversityHospital, 3800 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007 (Dr Allen).

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