By seeing the EP notion as a special case of a larger collection of multivariate genetic models, which may be fitted using currently accessible methodology, it is possible to maximize its valuable potential lessons for etiological study in psychiatric disorders.
An adequate technology would be required to perceive the endophenotype, which represents an unobservable latent entity that cannot be directly observed with the unaided naked eye.
Therefore, heritable differences in mental abilities may be caused by changes in the code describing the shape and operation of the underlying neural network.
One significant expression of this idea is believed to be the many cognitive deficiencies seen in ADHD, making them ideal candidates for an endophenotype approach.
[15] In psychiatry research, the accepted criteria which a biomarker must fulfill to be called an endophenotype include:[5][16][17] In the case of schizophrenia, the overt symptom could be a psychosis, but the underlying phenotypes are, for example, a lack of sensory gating and a decline in working memory.
[29] One such genetic basis for one of these at-risk endophenotypes has been suggested in 2007 to be the gene coding for the serotonin receptor 5-HT1B, known to be relevant in aggressive behaviors.