Common genetic and environmental influences on major depressive disorder and conduct disorder

J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2008 Apr;36(3):433-44. doi: 10.1007/s10802-007-9189-1. Epub 2007 Oct 27.

Abstract

The evidence for common genetic and environmental influences on conduct disorder (CD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents was examined. A sample of 570 monozygotic twin pairs, 592 dizygotic twin pairs, and 426 non-twin siblings, aged 12-18 years, was recruited from the Colorado Twin Registry. For the past year data, there was a significant correlation between the genetic influences on MDD and CD and, for the lifetime data, there was a significant correlation between the genetic influences on MDD and CD, and a significant correlation between the nonshared environmental influences on MDD and CD. Our results suggest that some genetic factors will increase an individual's vulnerability to both MDD and CD in adolescence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Comorbidity
  • Conduct Disorder / diagnosis
  • Conduct Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Conduct Disorder / genetics*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / genetics*
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Social Environment*
  • Twins / genetics*
  • Twins / psychology*