The Influence of Polygenic Score on Depression Among U.S. Older Adults: Evidence From Wisconsin Longitudinal Study

Jinyuan Qi , Princeton University

Depression is influenced by many factors, including genetic factors, bio-chemical factors, serious illness stressful life events and substance risk factors, etc. This study is particularly interested in exploring how genetic factors modify the effect of the risk factors and vice versa.The heterogeneity of the subgroups are not well examined in previous studies on gene-environment interactions on depression. This study applies model-based recursive partitioning (decision tree analysis) to explore gene-environment interactions on depression using older adults data from Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. The partitioning analysis can examine the heterogeneity of associations among subgroups and allow the discovery of multidimensional interactions. The better understanding of the complexity of the genetic-environment interplay may help prevent new cases of depression.

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 Presented in Session 142. Genes and Health - Using Polygenic Scores