What Role, If Any, Does Genetics Play in Severe Depression

question 144

Multiple Choice

What role, if any, does genetics play in severe depression?

• A) There is no current evidence that genetics plays a role in depression.
• B) Genetic factors seem to play a role, but only in people who become depressed later in life (after age 50 or so).
• C) Genetic factors seem to play a role, but depression probably depends on several genes, not just one.
• D) Genetic factors clearly control depression, and scientists have isolated the single gene that is responsible.

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Definitions:

Dummy Variables

Binary variables created to represent categorical data in order to use such variables in regression analysis.

Nominal Variable

A type of categorical variable for which there is no inherent order or ranking among the categories.

Indicator Variables

Variables used in regression analysis that take on the value of 0 or 1 to indicate the absence or presence of a categorical effect that may be expected to shift the outcome.

Indicator Variable

A variable used in mathematical modeling and statistical analysis that takes on the value of 0 or 1 to indicate the absence or presence of a certain condition or feature.