Editorial: Polygenic scores in child and adolescent psychiatry – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Abstract

Polygenic scores estimate an individual’s genetic liability for a particular disorder or trait. They are based on current knowledge of the trait’s genetic architecture and focus on common genetic variants. In this editorial, I will discuss some of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to polygenic scores within the context of child and adolescent psychiatry. I consider how the potential application of polygenic scores in health settings has some parallels with existing practices, but that polygenic scores also undoubtedly raise unique challenges. This SWOT analysis is accompanied by discussion of some new findings using polygenic scores in this issue of Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.