Behavior Genetics

A day in the life: Description of the German Observational Study of Adult Twins (GOSAT) assessing twin similarity in controlled laboratory settings.

by Susanne Hempel

Spinath, F. M., Riemann, R., Hempel, S., Schlangen, B., Weiss, R., Borkenau, P. & Angleitner, A. (1999). A day in the life: Description of the German Observational Study of Adult Twins (GOSAT) assessing twin similarity in controlled laboratory settings. In I. Mervielde, I. Deary, F. de Fruyt & F. Ostendorf (Eds.), Personality Psychology in Europe: Vol. 7 (pp. 311-333). Tilburg, NL: Tilburg University Press.

Do scientific theories affect men's evaluations of sex crimes?

by Ilan Dar-Nimrod

Dar-Nimrod, I., Heine, S. J., Cheung, B. Y., & Schaller, M. (2011). Do scientific theories affect men's evaluations of sex crimes? Aggressive Behavior, 37(5), 440-449.

Genetic essentialism: On the deceptive determinism of DNA.

by Ilan Dar-Nimrod

Dar-Nimrod, I., & Heine, S. J. (2011). Genetic essentialism: On the deceptive determinism of DNA. Psychological Bulletin, 137(5), 800-818.

The Systems Theory of Autistogenesis : Putting the Pieces Together

by J Patrick Malone

The systems theory of autistogenesis accounts for genetic and environmental predisposing factors for pervasive... more The systems theory of autistogenesis accounts for genetic and environmental predisposing factors for pervasive developmental disorders. During development, regions of the brain myelinate differentially, even while neuroinflammatory events induce neurological damage. Incorrect dietary ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to arachidonic acid (AA) promote developmental aberration characteristic of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and commercial infant formulae possesses DHA/AA ratios unsuitable for normal brain development in those predisposed. The aromatase gene regulates DHA/AA metabolism and represents a potential biomarker for ASD. Aromatase converts testosterone to estradiol. Estradiol is neuroprotective and a modulator of oxytocin receptors deficient in autism. Neuroprotective DHA is not well synthesized in males and is regulated by estradiol. Therefore, converging evidence indicates that any disturbance to the autistogenic system linking environment to neurobiology and genetics is capable of inducing developmental disorders with gender disparity.

The Genetics of Creativity A Serendipitous Assemblage of Madness

by Andrea Kuszewski

Heritability of schizotypal traits during adolescence

by Marissa Ericson

Exogenous Visual Orienting Is Associated with Specific Neurotransmitter Genetic Markers: A Population-Based Genetic Association Study

by Rebecca Lundwall

We tested normal subjects (N = 161) between 18 and 61 years. Participants completed a computer task in which pre-cues... more We tested normal subjects (N = 161) between 18 and 61 years. Participants completed a computer task in which pre-cues preceded the presence of a target. Subjects responded (with a key press) to the location of the target (right versus left of fixation). The cues could be valid (i.e., appear where the target would appear) or invalid (appear contralateral to where the target would appear). DNA sequencing assays were performed on buccal cells to genotype known genetic markers and these were examined for association with task scores. Here we show significant associations between visual orienting and genetic markers (on COMT, DAT1, and APOE; R2s from 4% to 9%).

Genetic and environmental differences in frequency of play with pets among middle-aged men

by Terrie Vasilopoulos

In press in Anthrozoos

Genetic architecture of Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Trail Making Test: Evidence for distinct genetic influences on executive function

by Terrie Vasilopoulos

In press in Neuropsychology

Objective:  To examine how genes and environments contribute to relationships among Trail Making test conditions... more Objective:  To examine how genes and environments contribute to relationships among Trail Making test conditions and the extent that these conditions share the same genetic and environmental influences. Method:  Participants included 1237 male-male twins, aged 51-60 years, from the Vietnam-Era Twin Study of Aging (VESTA). The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Trail Making test included measures of visual searching, number and letter sequencing, and set-shifting. Results:  Phenotypic correlations among Trails conditions ranged from 0.29 - 0.60; genetic analysis revealed that genes accounted for the majority (58-84%) of each correlation.  Phenotypic factor analysis suggested that a single phenotype accounted for the shared variance among Trails conditions.  In contrast, genetic models revealed a single common genetic factor and unique genetic influences separate from the common factor.  Genetic variance (i.e., heritability) of number and letter sequencing was completely explained by the common genetic factor while unique genetic influences separate from the common genetic factor accounted for 57% and 21% of the heritabilities of visual search and set shifting, respectively. Overall heritability ranged from 0.34 to 0.62 across conditions. Conclusions:  A common genetic factor, most likely representing a combination of speed and sequencing r accounted for the majority of the correlation among Trails 1-4. Distinct genetic factors, however, accounted for a portion of variance in visual scanning and set-shifting.  Thus, although traditional phenotypic shared variance analysis techniques suggest only one general factor underlying different neuropsychological functions in non-patient populations, examining the genetic underpinnings of cognitive processes with twin analysis can uncover more complex etiological processes.

Conference Announcement: “In the Wake of the Basque Whalers: Cultural and Genetic Heritage of the Basques and the Native Americans of the North Atlantic”

by Roslyn Frank

Here is the program for the upcoming International Conference called “In the Wake of the Basque Whalers: Cultural and Genetic Heritage of the Basques and the Native Americans of the North Atlantic”, featuring speakers from across several disciplines and cultures. It will take place 21-22 September 2011 in Bilbao, Spain, on the campus of the University of the Basque Country. It has been coordinated by the BIOMICs unit of UPV/EHU, University of the Basque Country Research Group and the well known film maker, photographer and investigator Xabi Otero of JAUZARREA. The unique blend of presentations in the humanities and hard sciences that characterizes this conference is a reflection of the unique broad-based interdisciplinary approach promoted by the team of geneticists at the University of the Basque Country, most particularly by Dr. Marian M. de Pancorbo, Director of the UPV/EHU BIOMICS unit, and Dr. Sergio Cardoso.

The conference summary is as follows:

“The Basques established relations with Native Americans in the St.... more The conference summary is as follows:

“The Basques established relations with Native Americans in the St. Lawrence River area over many centuries, and evidence of this appears in historical records. A wealth of historical, archaeological and even language records have been preserved as a result of these relations. One can therefore assume that the DNA lineages may also bear witness to these relations, owing to the contribution resulting from the constant trade established with the Native Americans by our whale hunters, cod fishermen and fur traders from the Lower Middle Ages and up until the 20th century.”

The list of participants includes: Dr. Marian M. de Pancorbo (UPV/EHU), Xabi Otero (JAUZARREA), Juan Antonio Urbeltz (IKERFOLK Institute), Dr. Stephen Augustine (Museum of Civilisation, Hull-Ottawa, Traditional Mi’kmaq Chief, Restigouche), Dr. Paul Charest (Laval University, Québec), Ghislain Picard (Head of the Assembly of the First Nations of Québec and Labrador), Dr. Charles A. Martin (University of Montreal), Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer (University of Oxford), Dr. Daniel G. Bradley (Trinity College, Dublin), Dr. Sergio Cardoso (UPV/EHU), Jon Maia and Amets Arzallus, Dr. Roldán Jimeno Aranguren (Public University of Navarre), Dr. Jacques Lacoursière (Laval University, Québec), Dr. Miren Egaña Goya (Aranzadi Scientific Society, Donostia), Dr. Brad Loewen (University of Montreal), Dr. Peter Bakker (University of Aarhus, Denmark), Dr. Robert Grenier (Parks Canada, UNESCO), Xabier Agote (ALBAOLA Association, Pasaia), Dr. Aurélie Arcocha-Scarcia (Université Michel de Montaigen-Bordeaux3, Centre de Recherche sur la Langue et les Textes).

Maternal inheritance and familial fecundity factors in male homosexuality

by Qazi Rahman

Psychiatric morbidity associated with same-sex sexual behaviour: influence of minority stress and familial factors.

by Qazi Rahman

Psychol Med. 2010 Feb;40(2):315-24.

Untreated Hypertension Decreases Heritability of Cognition in Late Middle Age

by Terrie Vasilopoulos

Behavior Genetics, available online ahead of publication

Hypertension is a risk factor for cognitive decline, but the mechanisms underlying the effects of hypertension on... more Hypertension is a risk factor for cognitive decline, but the mechanisms underlying the effects of hypertension on cognition, particularly in midlife, are unclear. We examined whether hypertension modifies genetic influences on individual differences in cognition. Nine cognitive domains and general cognitive ability were assessed in a sample of 1237 male twins aged 51-60 who were divided into three blood pressure groups: non-hypertensive; medicated hypertensive; and unmedicated hypertensive. Heritability was significantly lower among unmedicated hypertensives compared to medicated hypertensives and non-hypertensives for visual-spatial ability (p=0.013) and episodic memory (p=0.004). There were no heritability differences between non-hypertensives and medicated hypertensives. In addition, there were no significant differences in mean level cognition across the three blood pressure groups. These results suggest that in middle-aged men, untreated hypertension suppresses normal genetic influences on individual differences in certain domains of cognition prior to the emergence of hypertension-related effects on cognitive performance. These results further suggest that antihypertensive medication may protect against or reverse this effect. 

Stability of Genetic Influences on Pulmonary Function In a Longitudinal Study of Octogenarian Twins

by Terrie Vasilopoulos

published in the American Journal of Human Biology

Using data from the first four waves of the OCTO-Twin study (twins 80 + years), the present study investigated the... more Using data from the first four waves of the OCTO-Twin study (twins 80 + years), the present study investigated the stability and change of genetic and environmental contributions to pulmonary function. Using a genetic simplex model, variance in peak expiratory flow (PEF) at each wave was decomposed into additive genetic and nonshared (specific) environmental factors. Additionally, this analysis distinguished the source of these influences, either from previous waves (transmissions) or from novel influences at each wave (innovations). At each time point (except wave 1), the genetic variance was due to genetic transmissions from prior time points. Conversely, the specific environmental variance in PEF at each time point was mainly due to environmental innovations. These results imply that genetic factors contribute to the stability of pulmonary function over time whereas environmental factors contribute to its change.

Genetic and environmental effects on same-sex sexual behavior: A population study of twins in Sweden

by Qazi Rahman

Genetic and environmental risk factors for sexual distress and its association with female sexual dysfunction

by Qazi Rahman

Psychological Medicine, doi:10.1017/S0033291711000493

The Threat of Genes: A Comment on Evan Charney's “Genes and Ideologies”

by Rebecca J. Hannagan

Co-authored with Peter K. Hatemi. Published in Perspectives on Politics.

The interaction of DRD2 and violent victimization on depression: An analysis by gender and race

by Matthew Makarios

2009. Vaske, Jamie, Makarios, Matthew D., Boisvert, Danielle, Beaver Kevin M., & Wright, John P. Journal of Affective Disorders.

Validity of Survey Response Propensity Indicators: Evidence from Psychological and Genetic Analysis

by Zoltan Fazekas

with Levente Littvay and Sebastian A. Popa. Revise and Resubmit, SSQ.

This study explains how behavior genetic analysis using a twin design can help us assess the validity of our measures.... more This study explains how behavior genetic analysis using a twin design can help us assess the validity of our measures. To demonstrate, we test multiple indicators of response propensity, a measure used by survey researchers to better understand the similarities and differences between survey respondents and nonrespondents. The response propensity indicators evaluated include response to follow-up surveys and subsequent waves of a panel, completion of extensive and sensitive recontact information to aid subsequent recontact efforts and the magnitude of refusal conversion. Two classical and the newly proposed method of validation all point to insufficient validity of our response propensity measures. Construct validation exhibited little intercorrelation between indicators; convergent validity tests using psychological predictors produced inconsistent results. Genetic analysis suggests that the success of subsequent data collection efforts are predominantly driven by additive genetic effects, while nonresponse to inquiries for recontact information is influenced predominantly by familial predictors. Results point to a need for more nuanced interpretation of response propensity.

Choosing sides. The genetics of why we go with the loudest

by Zoltan Fazekas

with Levente Littvay. Forthcoming June 2012, Journal of Theoretical Politics.