Gene-environment interactions across multiple units of analysis

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Suzanne Vrshek-Schallhorn, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The present chapter examines four overarching topics: theoretical models undergirding G×E research, a brief history of G×E and its controversies, the current state of G×E research and emerging approaches, and future directions. We give particular attention to how G×E research examines an array of outcomes in order to inform not only associations of genetic differences with diagnoses, but also their mechanisms. Within the field of psychopathology, G×E research examines proximal outcomes (physiological variables) and distal outcomes (affect, symptoms, and diagnoses) in an effort to inform a nomological network across multiple units of analysis. Among the most compelling of these intermediate outcomes have been physiological variables that cannot readily be biased by research participants— neuroendocrine responses to lab- induced stress and patterns of brain activity in functional magnetic resonance imaging.Within this framework, we focus on the candidate- gene perspective (testing a priori hypotheses about specific genetic differences) as opposed to the genome- wide association perspective (examining genetic differences throughout the genome in case- control comparisons without specific hypotheses). Similarly, we focus on G×E interactions in most cases, except when research on the main effects of genetic variables is particularly informative.

Additional Information

Publication
Genes, Brain and Emotions: Resilience and Psychopathology
Language: English
Date: 2019
Keywords
gene-environment interactions, psychopathology

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