been identified in previous studies of depression5, 9, 22. CELF4 plays a key role in coordinating the synaptic function in excitatory neurons23 with dynamic changes in expression during brain development and deletions in the surrounding region (18q.12.2) associated with developmental and behavioural disorders24. ELAVL2 potentially aids in the regulation of gene expression pathways in human neurodevelopment 25 and disruption of related pathways may be a factor in neurodevelopmental disorders. Improving our understanding of the genetic similarities and differences between neuroticism and depression may provide a route to determining the biological aspects that underpin a more permanent personality trait or a depressive state. These genetic similarities and differences also provide opportunities for phenotypic stratification and warrants further investigation in future studies.
