Behavioral and Brain Sciences,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
46
Published: May 5, 2022
Behavior
genetics
is
a
controversial
science.
For
decades,
scholars
have
sought
to
understand
the
role
of
heredity
in
human
behavior
and
life-course
outcomes.
Recently,
technological
advances
rapid
expansion
genomic
databases
facilitated
discovery
genes
associated
with
phenotypes
such
as
educational
attainment
substance
use
disorders.
To
maximize
potential
this
flourishing
science,
minimize
harms,
careful
analysis
what
it
would
mean
for
be
causes
needed.
In
paper,
we
advance
framework
identifying
instances
genetic
causes,
interpreting
those
causal
relationships,
applying
them
knowledge
more
generally
social
sciences.
Central
thinking
about
counterfactual
reasoning,
cornerstone
statistics,
medicine,
philosophy.
We
argue
that
within-family
effects
represent
product
comparison
same
way
average
treatment
(ATEs)
from
randomized
controlled
trials
(RCTs).
Both
ATEs
RCTs
are
shallow
causes:
They
operate
within
intricate
systems
(non-unitary),
produce
heterogeneous
across
individuals
(non-uniform),
not
mechanistically
informative
(non-explanatory).
Despite
these
limitations,
can
used
improve
understanding
etiology
explore
sources
heterogeneity
fade-out
effects.
Psychological Medicine,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
55
Published: Jan. 1, 2025
Abstract
Background
Impulsivity
is
a
multidimensional
trait
associated
with
substance
use
disorders
(SUDs),
but
the
relationship
between
distinct
impulsivity
facets
and
stages
of
involvement
remains
unclear.
Methods
We
used
genomic
structural
equation
modeling
genome-wide
association
studies
(
N
=
79,729–903,147)
to
examine
latent
genetic
architecture
nine
traits
seven
(SU)
SUD
traits.
Results
found
that
SU
factors
were
strongly
genetically
inter-correlated
r
G
=0.77)
their
associations
differed.
Lack
premeditation,
negative
positive
urgency
equally
positively
correlated
both
=.0.30–0.50)
0.38–0.46)
factors;
sensation
seeking
was
more
factor
=0.27
versus
=0.10);
delay
discounting
=0.31
=0.21);
lack
perseverance
only
weakly
=0.10).
After
controlling
for
correlation
SU/SUD,
we
premeditation
independently
(β=0.42)
(β=0.21);
(β=0.48,
β=0.33,
respectively);
(β=0.33,
β=0.36,
respectively).
Conclusions
Our
findings
show
specific
confer
risk
involvement,
potential
implications
SUDs
prevention
treatment.
medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 24, 2025
Most
genome-wide
association
studies
(GWASs)
of
depression
focus
on
broad,
heterogeneous
outcomes,
limiting
the
discovery
genomic
risk
loci
specific
to
major
depressive
disorder
(MDD).
Previous
UK
Biobank
(UKB)
had
limited
ability
pinpoint
MDD-associated
due
a
smaller
sample
with
strictly
defined
MDD
outcomes
and
further
exclusion
many
participants
based
ancestry
or
relatedness,
significantly
underutilizing
this
resource's
potential
for
elucidating
genetic
architecture
MDD.
Here,
we
present
novel
insights
into
by
fully
utilizing
existing
UKB
data
through
(1)
trans-ancestry
GWAS
pipeline
using
two
complementary
approaches
controlling
population
structure
relatedness
(2)
an
increased
symptom-level
across
mental
health
assessments.
We
identified
strict
among
211,535
participants,
representing
38%
increase
in
eligible
from
prior
only
one
assessment.
Ancestrally
inclusive
analyses
yielded
61
phenotypes,
compared
47
restricted
genetically
similar
European
ancestry.
Fourteen
these
loci,
including
five
novel,
were
associated
whereas
locus
has
been
previously
reported
UKB.
predicted
gene
expression
levels
showed
little
overlap
broad
depression,
indicating
higher
specificity.
Notably,
polygenic
scores
results
diagnoses
groups
All
Us
Research
Program,
highlighting
shared
populations.
While
analyses,
which
included
non-European
number
ancestry-specific
was
limited,
underscoring
need
larger,
globally
representative
Importantly,
beyond
results,
our
will
facilitate
other
traits
disorders,
helping
improve
statistical
power,
representation,
generalizability
studies.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 21, 2025
Air
pollution
and
greenness
are
emerging
as
modifiable
risk
protective
factors,
respectively,
in
child
psychopathology.
However,
research
shows
inconsistencies.
Here,
we
examined
associations
between
air
surrounding
with
internalizing
externalizing
behaviors.
In
addition,
the
potential
modifying
role
of
genetic
susceptibility
for
these
traits
socioeconomic
status
(SES)
was
explored.
This
population-based
study
included
4485
schoolchildren
aged
5-18
years
from
Spain.
Internalizing
behaviors
were
assessed
using
Child
Behavior
Checklist
(CBCL).
Average
(NO2,
PM2.5,
PM10,
PMcoarse,
PM2.5
absorbance)
(NDVI
within
100-m,
300-m,
500-m
buffers)
school
exposure
estimated
12
months
before
outcome
assessment.
Genetic
liability
by
computing
polygenic
scores
(PRS)
SES
calculated
Hollingshead
Four-Factor
Index.
Associations
analyzed
negative
binomial
mixed-effects
models.
Although
no
survived
multiple
testing,
found
that
increases
5.48
μg/m3
PM10
2.93
PMcoarse
associated
a
6%
(Mean
Ratio
(MR)
=
1.06;
95%
CI:
1.01-1.12)
4%
(MR
1.04;
1.00-1.09)
increase
behavior
scores.
A
0.1
NDVI
100-m
buffer
decrease
0.94;
0.89-0.99).
Neither
differences
sex
or
age,
moderation
effects
PRS
SES,
observed.
We
preliminary
evidence
detrimental
on
behavior,
which
not
modified
sex,
liability.
If
confirmed,
results
reinforce
need
improving
quality,
especially
around
schools,
part
preventive
strategies
focused
childhood
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
63(10), P. 1186 - 1195
Published: July 2, 2022
Background
Theoretical
models
of
the
development
childhood
externalizing
disorders
emphasize
role
parents.
Empirical
studies
have
not
been
able
to
identify
specific
aspects
parental
behaviors
explaining
a
considerable
proportion
observed
individual
differences
in
problems.
The
problem
is
complicated
by
contribution
genetic
factors
problems,
as
parents
provide
both
genes
and
environments
their
children.
We
studied
joint
contributions
direct
effects
children
indirect
through
environment
on
Methods
study
used
genome‐wide
single
nucleotide
polymorphism
data
from
9,675
parent–offspring
trios
participating
Norwegian
Mother
Father
child
cohort
study.
Based
genomic
relatedness
matrices,
we
estimated
maternal
paternal
ADHD,
conduct
disruptive
at
8
years
age.
Results
Models
including
were
preferred
for
ADHD
symptoms
inattention
hyperactivity,
but
oppositional
defiant
behaviors.
Direct
accounted
11%
24%
variance,
whereas
0%
16%
correlation
between
effects,
or
gene–environment
correlations,
decreased
variance
with
13%
increased
6%
hyperactivity
Conclusions
This
provides
empirical
support
notion
that
significant
decrease
variation
problems
correlations
would
limit
number
reaching
clinical
ranges
symptoms.
Not
accounting
can
lead
positive
negative
bias
when
identifying
variants
Behavioral and Brain Sciences,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
46
Published: May 5, 2022
Behavior
genetics
is
a
controversial
science.
For
decades,
scholars
have
sought
to
understand
the
role
of
heredity
in
human
behavior
and
life-course
outcomes.
Recently,
technological
advances
rapid
expansion
genomic
databases
facilitated
discovery
genes
associated
with
phenotypes
such
as
educational
attainment
substance
use
disorders.
To
maximize
potential
this
flourishing
science,
minimize
harms,
careful
analysis
what
it
would
mean
for
be
causes
needed.
In
paper,
we
advance
framework
identifying
instances
genetic
causes,
interpreting
those
causal
relationships,
applying
them
knowledge
more
generally
social
sciences.
Central
thinking
about
counterfactual
reasoning,
cornerstone
statistics,
medicine,
philosophy.
We
argue
that
within-family
effects
represent
product
comparison
same
way
average
treatment
(ATEs)
from
randomized
controlled
trials
(RCTs).
Both
ATEs
RCTs
are
shallow
causes:
They
operate
within
intricate
systems
(non-unitary),
produce
heterogeneous
across
individuals
(non-uniform),
not
mechanistically
informative
(non-explanatory).
Despite
these
limitations,
can
used
improve
understanding
etiology
explore
sources
heterogeneity
fade-out
effects.