Project Summary

Kristen C. Jacobson, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2002) of Virginia Commonwealth University, will study the extent to which genes and environments contribute to the correlation of conduct disorder (CD) with later major depressive disorder (MDD) by studying data from adult twins.  Of particular interest is whether factors that influence this association are the same for males and females, given the substantial, complementary gender differences in rates of CD and MDD.  Dr. Jacobson will also attempt to identify potential mediators of genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between CD and MDD, as well as identify certain subgroups of the population at increased risk for the development of MDD contingent on CD.  Understanding how, for whom, and under what circumstances CD influences later risk for MDD should aid in the development of more effective treatments and prevention programs for MDD.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)\Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

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