Hence, the functional utility of
endophenotypes associated with the serotonin transporter gene may systematically vary
as a function of cultural context.
Gottesman and Gould describe the rationale behind the concept of
endophenotype as providing relatively straightforward and more elementary phenomena
as opposed to behavioural phenotypes and therefore require fewer numbers of genes to produce variations in these traits
as opposed to behavioural phenotypes or psychiatric diagnoses.24 These studies include associations of cortisol,
as end - product of HPA - axis activity, 25 — 27 autonomic nervous system functioning, 28 and neuropsychological characteristics29 with various mental health problems.