Research on the genetic underpinnings of depression is at an exciting, yet challenging crossroad. On the one hand, genotyping technologies have allowed for the characterization of individual and population-based genetic variation and have provided analytic tools to examine the individual and joint effects of genetic and environmental determinants. On the other hand, GWAS of depression have yet to see the same success achieved with other psychiatric or medical disorders. Moreover, studies of GxE have thus far not led to great clarity but have fueled plenty of debate. Some argue that positive findings reflect chance results among small, underpowered studies,86 while others see consistencies when focusing on studies that are methodologically comparable.83-85
