Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been instrumental in highlighting associations between genetic variants and 1000s of traits. A recent GWAS of major depressive disorder (MDD) by the psychiatric genetics consortium (PGC) has recently identified 102 genetic variants associated with the disorder (Howard et al., 2019). In ALSPAC, genetic liability (indexed by polygenic risk scores) are associated with depression and numerous mood disorder phenotypes. However, genetics are only one side of the story and the interplay between genetic liability and environmental risk factors in the onset and maintenance of depression and related mood disorders is still unclear.

The data will be created by AK and will require a collaborator ID and DAA to have the data stored in Edinburgh on the secure server.