Endophenotypes: multiplicity of variants and possible interpretations

The concept of endophenotype comprises hereditary characteristics of human body and psyche, correlating with behavioral (psychological) displays of normal functioning and mental disorders. Endophenotypes are regarded as mediators between gene action and its display at the level of behavior. The review gives an idea of the role endophenotypes play in study of genetic basis of mental diseases and normal psychic activity as well as the criteria according to which they can be detected. The article describes the definite signs of the levels, which can be regarded as poten tial endophenotypes for a number of psychic diseases and for a normal intellect. It also provides the estimation of interpretation capacities of this notion.

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