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Sex differences in affective disorder: Genetic transmission
Author(s) -
Faraone Stephen V.,
Lyons Michael J.,
Tsuang Ming T.,
Rao D. C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
genetic epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.301
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1098-2272
pISSN - 0741-0395
DOI - 10.1002/gepi.1370040503
Subject(s) - proband , family studies , linkage (software) , genetic epidemiology , family aggregation , family history , epidemiology , bipolar disorder , demography , sex ratio , psychology , genetics , clinical psychology , medicine , biology , disease , population , gene , mutation , mood , sociology
Epidemiological studies have consistently found women to be at greater risk than men for affective disorders. This sex effect may help clarify genetic transmission and heterogeneity. Data from eight family studies of unipolar and eight family studies of bipolar probands were used to calculate family resemblance sex ratios. These observed sex ratios were then compared to sex ratios predicted by X‐linked and nonfamilial effects models. Maximum likelihood estimation of competing models revealed that X linkage was not a good fit to the unipolar data. The bipolar studies were not consistent with either the X‐linked or the nonfamilial effects model.