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DNA and behavior: Is our fate in our genes? (Dr. Robert Pyatt, Ohio State University)

The Contribution of Genetics to Human Behavior

I. Overview of the Behavioral Genetics
A. Why should we care if there are genetic components to behavior?
B. History: Mental Retardation and Eugenics

II. Genetic Syndromes with a Behavioral Component (Select Examples)
A. 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome
B. Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome
C. Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses
D. Prader-Willi Syndrome
E. Smith-Magenis Syndrome

III. Genetics of Behavior: Aggression
A. MAOA (Monoamine Oxidase A)
B. Dutch Family study
C. Mutation Identification
D. Genetics & Environment:
E. Current Use in Diagnostic Medicine
F. Other Behaviors: Addiction, Gambling, Suicide

IV. Future Use for Behavioral Genetics
A. Medicine
B. Law

Materials

Presentation

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Caspi A, McClay J, Moffitt TE, Mill J, Martin J, Craig IW, Taylor A, Poulton R. Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children. Science. 2002 Aug 2;297(5582):851-4.

Caspi A, Sugden K, Moffitt TE, Taylor A, Craig IW, Harrington H, McClay J, Mill J, Martin J, Braithwaite A, Poulton R. Influence of life stress on depression: moderation by a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene. Science. 2003 Jul 18;301(5631):386-9.

Craig IW. The importance of stress and genetic variation in human aggression. BioEssays. 2007;29:227-236.

Funk D, Marinelli PW, Le AD. Biological processes underlying co-use of alcohol and nicotine: neuronal mechanisms, cross-tolerance, and genetic factors. Alcohol Res Health. 2006;29(3):186-92.

Ibanez A, Blanco C, de Castro IP, Fernandez-Piqueras J, Saiz-Ruiz J. Genetics of pathological gambling. J Gambl Stud. 2003 Spring;19(1):11-22.

Mann JJ, Malone KM, Nielsen DA, Goldman D, Erdos J, Gelernter J. Possible association of a polymorphism of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene with suicidal behavior in depressed patients. Am J Psychiatry. 1997;154:1451-1453.

Nilsson KW, Sjoberg RL, Wargelius HL, Leppert J, Lindstrom L, Oreland L. The monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) gene, family function and maltreatment as predictors of destructive behaviour during male adolescent alcohol consumption. Addiction. 2007 Mar;102(3):389-98.

Rothstein MA. Applications of behavioural genetics: outpacing the science? Nature Reviews Genetics. 2005;6:793-798.