Studying how genetic predispositions and environmental circumstances come together to contribute to complex behavioral outcomes has great potential for advancing our understanding of the development of psychopathology. It represents a clear theoretical advance over studying these factors in isolation. However, research at the intersection of multiple fields creates many challenges. Studying cGxE requires appropriate understanding of genetic mechanisms, appropriate measurement of the environment, a conceptual framework for integrating the two with respect to a specific outcome of interest and, critically, of the statistical principles that underpin cGxE studies. It is not likely, or expected, that every investigator conducting cGxE research will have the requisite expertise in all of these areas; accordingly, we encourage cGxE studies that are collaborative efforts involving individuals with common interests but diverse expertise.
