diagnostics Review Genetic Basis of Dual Diagnosis: A Review of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Focusing on Patients with Mood or Anxiety Disorders and Co-Occurring Alcohol-Use Disorders Kaloyan Stoychev 1,* , Dancho Dilkov 2, Elahe Naghavi 3 and Zornitsa Kamburova 4 1 Department of Psychiatry, Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria 2 Department of Psychiatry, Military Medical Academy Sofia, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria;
[email protected] 3 Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria;
[email protected] 4 Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +359-64-886-867 Abstract: (1) Background: Comorbidity between Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD), mood, and anxiety disorders represents a significant health burden, yet its neurobiological underpinnings are elusive. The current paper reviews all genome-wide association studies conducted in the past ten years, sampling patients with AUD and co-occurring mood or anxiety disorder(s). (2) Methods: In keeping with PRISMA guidelines, we searched EMBASE, Medline/PUBMED, and PsycINFO databases (January 2010 to December 2020), including references of enrolled studies. Study selection was based on predefined criteria and data underwent a multistep revision process. (3) Results: 15 studies were included. Some of them explored dual diagnoses phenotypes directly while others employed Citation: Stoychev, K.; Dilkov, D.; correlational analysis based on polygenic risk score approach. Their results support the significant Naghavi, E.; Kamburova, Z. Genetic overlap of genetic factors involved in AUDs and mood and anxiety disorders. Comorbidity risk Basis of Dual Diagnosis: A Review of seems to be conveyed by genes engaged in neuronal development, connectivity, and signaling Genome-Wide Association Studies although the precise neuronal pathways and mechanisms remain unclear.