Genetics of depression: an overview of the current science.

Most psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), are known to involve complex interactions between genetic and environmental influences that impact the development and severity of symptomatology. Health care practitioner competencies have been expanded to include application of genetic knowledge in mental health. Yet this information is difficult to decipher and apply. To assist with these challenges, this article synthesizes recent literature related to the genetics of MDD and illustrates the genetic pathways for major depression.