Resolving the paradox of common, harmful, heritable mental disorders: Which evolutionary genetic models work best?

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Keller ◽  
Geoffrey Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Behavior Genetics ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Heterozygote Advantage ◽  
Psychiatric Genetics ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic

Given that natural selection is so powerful at optimizing complex adaptations, why does it seem unable to eliminate genes (susceptibility alleles) that predispose to common, harmful, heritable mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder? We assess three leading explanations for this apparent paradox from evolutionary genetic theory: (1) ancestral neutrality (susceptibility alleles were not harmful among ancestors), (2) balancing selection (susceptibility alleles sometimes increased fitness), and (3) polygenic mutation-selection balance (mental disorders reflect the inevitable mutational load on the thousands of genes underlying human behavior). The first two explanations are commonly assumed in psychiatric genetics and Darwinian psychiatry, while mutation-selection has often been discounted. All three models can explain persistent genetic variance in some traits under some conditions, but the first two have serious problems in explaining human mental disorders. Ancestral neutrality fails to explain low mental disorder frequencies and requires implausibly small selection coefficients against mental disorders given the data on the reproductive costs and impairment of mental disorders. Balancing selection (including spatio-temporal variation in selection, heterozygote advantage, antagonistic pleiotropy, and frequency-dependent selection) tends to favor environmentally contingent adaptations (which would show no heritability) or high-frequency alleles (which psychiatric genetics would have already found). Only polygenic mutation-selection balance seems consistent with the data on mental disorder prevalence rates, fitness costs, the likely rarity of susceptibility alleles, and the increased risks of mental disorders with brain trauma, inbreeding, and paternal age. This evolutionary genetic framework for mental disorders has wide-ranging implications for psychology, psychiatry, behavior genetics, molecular genetics, and evolutionary approaches to studying human behavior.

Genes for susceptibility to mental disorder are not mental disorder: Clarifying the target of evolutionary analysis and the role of the environment

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas B. Allen ◽  
Paul B. T. Badcock
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Evolutionary Analysis ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic

In this commentary, we critique the appropriate behavioural features for evolutionary genetic analysis, the role of the environment, and the viability of a general evolutionary genetic model for all common mental disorders. In light of these issues, we suggest that the authors may have prematurely discounted the role of some of the mechanisms they review, particularly balancing selection.

An evolutionary framework for mental disorders: Integrating adaptationist and evolutionary genetic models

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Keller ◽  
Geoffrey Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Environmental Noise ◽  
Genetic Models ◽  
Selective Sweeps ◽  
Arms Races ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic ◽  
Non Equilibrium ◽  
Disorder Risk

This response (a) integrates non-equilibrium evolutionary genetic models, such as coevolutionary arms-races and recent selective sweeps, into a framework for understanding common, harmful, heritable mental disorders; (b) discusses the forms of ancestral neutrality or balancing selection that may explain some portion of mental disorder risk; and (c) emphasizes that normally functioning psychological adaptations work against a backdrop of mutational and environmental noise.

Evolutionary Concepts of Mental Disorders—A Unifying Framework?

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heinz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Evolutionary Theories ◽  
Evolutionary Concepts ◽  
Basic Learning

Dysfunction of basic learning mechanisms my best be understood within an evolutionary framework of human behavior. In this chapter, traditional evolutionary accounts of mental disorders are described and criticized, because they often have been based on a rather prejudiced view of non-European cultures and their supposed “primitiveness”. Such existing evolutionary theories and their pitfalls have to be kept in mind when developing a new understanding of mental disorder.

It Is Time to Rename the DSM

2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Thyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Conduct Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Natural Science ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Dysfunctional Behavior ◽  
Mental Disturbance ◽  
Dsm Iv

Although the DSM purports to be a theoretical with respect to the etiology of mental disorders, its fundamental assumption that aberrant patterns of thought, emotion or behavior reflect mental disturbance is itself an unjustifiable a priori position. Within the DSM-IV-TR, the existence of compelling dysfunctional psychosocial etiological influences precludes the diagnosis of conduct disorder. Consistent with this precedent, the following principle needs to be expanded to virtually all the conditions found in the DSM: “Conditions reasonably attributable to psychosocial factors or medical conditions should not be considered mental disorders.” Following this principle could cause the very concept of mental disorder to evaporate, in favor of a nondualist perspective on explaining human behavior in favor of a consistently physicalistic one. This would promote the study of dysfunctional behavior as a legitimate field of natural science and not one of metaphysical enquiry.

Praise for a critical perspective

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Airey ◽  
Richard C. Shelton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Neutral Evolution ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic

The target article skillfully evaluates data on mental disorders in relation to predictions from evolutionary genetic theories of neutral evolution, balancing selection, and polygenic mutation-selection balance, resulting in a negative outlook for the likelihood of success finding genes for mental disorders. Nevertheless, new conceptualizations, methods, and continued interactions across disciplines provide hope.

Human behavior genetics

1972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven G. Vandenberg ◽  
John DeFries ◽  
David C. Garron ◽  
Ronald C. Johnson ◽  
William Meredith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Behavior ◽  
Behavior Genetics

scholarly journals Impact of arthritis on the perceived need and use of mental healthcare among Canadians with mental disorders: nationally representative cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041371
Author(s):  
Alyssa Howren ◽  
J Antonio Aviña-Zubieta ◽  
Deborah Da Costa ◽  
Joseph H Puyat ◽  
Hui Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between having arthritis and the perceived need for mental healthcare and use of mental health support among individuals with mental disorders.DesignA cross-sectional analysis using data from Canadian Community Health Survey—Mental Health (2012).SettingThe survey was administered across Canada’s 10 provinces using multistage cluster sampling.ParticipantsThe study sample consisted of individuals reporting depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.Study variables and analysisThe explanatory variable was self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and outcomes were perceived need for mental healthcare and use of mental health support. We computed overall and gender-stratified multivariable binomial logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income and geographical region.ResultsAmong 1774 individuals with a mental disorder in the study sample, 436 (20.4%) reported having arthritis. Arthritis was associated with increased odds of having a perceived need for mental healthcare (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.71, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.77). In the gender-stratified models, this association was increased among men (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.32 to 5.49) but not women (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.82). Evaluation of the association between arthritis and use of mental health support resulted in an aOR of 1.50 (95% CI 0.89 to 2.51). Individuals with arthritis tended to use medications and professional services as opposed to non-professional support.ConclusionComorbid arthritis among individuals with a mental disorder was associated with an increased perceived need for mental healthcare, especially in men, underscoring the importance of understanding the role of masculinity in health seeking. Assessing the mental health of patients with arthritis continues to be essential for clinical care.

A Chromosomal Region Promoting Outcrossing in a Conifer

Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 159 (3) ◽  
pp. 1283-1289
Author(s):  
Claire G Williams ◽  
Yi Zhou ◽  
Sarah E Hall
Keyword(s):  
Linkage Group ◽  
Chromosomal Region ◽  
Expressed Sequence Tag ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Lethal Factor ◽  
Genetic Mechanism ◽  
Heterozygote Advantage ◽  
Experimental Profile ◽  
Gametic Selection ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

Abstract Prefertilization mechanisms influencing selfing rates are thought to be absent in conifers. Outcrossing in conifers is promoted via an embryo-lethal system, but the genetic mechanism is poorly understood. This study is the first experimental profile of the genetic mechanism promoting outcrossing in conifers. Molecular dissection of a Pinus taeda L. selfed pedigree detected a chromosomal region identified as PtTX3020-RPtest9. Within this region, a semilethal factor was tightly linked (r = 0.0076) to a polymorphic expressed sequence tag (EST). The linkage group flanking the lethal factor showed strong heterozygote advantage. Using genotypic frequencies for the linkage group, three hypotheses about the semilethal factor could be tested: (1) the presence of a balanced lethal system, i.e., a lethal factor present in each of the two marker intervals; (2) gametic selection operative prior to fertilization; and (3) a stage-specific lethal factor. Selection acted via the embryo-lethal system. No support for a genetic mechanism operating prior to fertilization was found. The semilethal factor exerted no effect after embryo maturity. The genetic mechanism promoting outcrossing in P. taeda L. appears to have a balancing selection system due to either pseudo-overdominance or true overdominance.

Tobacco smoking and mental disorders in Australian adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742110096
Author(s):  
David Lawrence ◽  
Sarah E Johnson ◽  
Francis Mitrou ◽  
Sharon Lawn ◽  
Michael Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Current Tobacco

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) examine the strength of the association between mental disorders/mental health problems, risk behaviours and tobacco smoking among Australian adolescents, (2) compare rates of tobacco smoking among Australian adolescents with major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and/or conduct disorder in 2013/14 vs 1998, and (3) identify the extent to which an association between tobacco smoking and mental health problems among adolescents can be attributed to non-mental health risk factors. Methods: The study utilised data from the first (1998) and second (2013/14) child and adolescent components of the National Surveys of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Both surveys identified nationally representative samples of Australian young people aged 4–17 years, living in private dwellings. Information was collected from parents and 13- to 17-year-olds about mental disorders, mental health problems, risk behaviours and tobacco smoking. Results: In the 2013/14 survey, the rate of current tobacco smoking among those with a mental disorder was 20% compared to 5% in those without a mental disorder. Rates were highest for young people with conduct disorder (50%), major depressive disorder (24%) and anxiety disorders (19%). In 2013/14, 38% of current tobacco smokers had a mental disorder and 32% reported self-harm and/or suicidal ideation vs 10% and 5%, respectively, among adolescents who had never smoked. Females with mental disorders or reporting self-harm or suicidal ideation had higher rates of current smoking than males. Other significant factors associated with current smoking included school-related problems, binge eating and having had more than one sexual partner. Conclusion: While smoking rates in 13- to 17-year-olds with mental disorders had declined since 1998, the strength of the association between mental disorders and smoking had increased, especially among females. Our findings highlight the need to address the tobacco smoking among adolescents with mental disorders, particularly females.

scholarly journals Architecture and Mental Disorders: A Systematic Study of Peer-Reviewed Literature

2020 ◽  
pp. 193758672097376
Author(s):  
Mais M. Aljunaidy ◽  
Mohamad Nadim Adi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Interior Design ◽  
Systematic Study ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Environment Design ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Physical Environments

Objectives: To perform a systematic study about the contribution of architecture and interior design researchers in studying the effect of physical environment on mental disorders. Background: Mental disorders are a major health problem worldwide and related to severe distress, functional disabilities, and heavy economical burdens. Studies propose that physical environment design can trigger or reduce mental disorder symptoms. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the extent of architectural design research contribution to all types of mental disorder prevention or intervention. Methods: A team of cross-disciplinary researchers gathered information from peer-reviewed manuscripts about the effect of architectural design on enhancing or reducing mental disorder symptoms. Data were collected from manuscripts published between 2008 and 2020 (research related to the topic became clearer in quality and quantity then). Keywords including architecture, interior design, physical environment, and mental disorders were used in the systematic search. Databases were collected using online resources. Numerical data collected from quantitative studies were organized in tables. Results: Our data showed that there were a lot of studies about dementia and autism; few studies about schizophrenia, anxiety, stress-related disorders, and depressive disorders; and no studies about the rest of the mental disorders. General environment followed by housing facility design were the most assessed physical environments for mental disorders. Conclusions: As all mental disorders can have a significant impact on the society, we conclude that architectural studies should focus more on improving or preventing the symptoms of all types of mental disorders through the design of physical environments.

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