The British Journal of Psychiatry 139: 450-456 (1981)
© 1981 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Hereditary factors in the pathogenesis of affective illnesses
B Jakimow-Venulet
The purpose of the study was verification of a genetic distinction between
bipolar and unipolar affective illness and investigation of hypotheses
concerning the mode of genetic transmission of both illnesses. The
investigation demonstrated a difference between a group of 150 probands
with bipolar affective illness and 50 probands with unipolar affective
illness. A genetic-correlation analysis of both diseases showed that they
are determined by different, partly correlated liabilities. Evaluation of
the mode of inheritance suggests an multifactorial mode of inheritance of
both affective illnesses: although genetic factors are of basic importance,
continuously acting environmental factors also have a significant influence
on the manifestation of the illness. The results suggest possible
heterogeneity of both illnesses from the genetic standpoint.