Genetics of Personality Disorders

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud ◽  
Kenneth S. Kendler
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Normal Personality ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Genetic Contributions

This chapter reviews the evidence for genetic contributions to the etiology of personality disorders (PDs) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM; 5th ed.). This approach and some of the controversial issues associated with its development are briefly described in the first section. The second section evaluates the evidence for genetic influence on DSM PDs from family and twin studies using quantitative genetic methods. Studies that move beyond individual PDs are also reviewed, together with studies on the extent to which common genetic factors influence PDs and normal personality traits and PDs and pathological personality trait domains. Stability of genetic influences on PDs over time are also examined. Molecular genetic studies are reviewed in the third section. The fourth section deals with gene environment interplay, and the final section discusses future directions in the exploration of genetic influences on PDs.

Genetic Influences on Eating Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey D. Wade ◽  
Cynthia Bulik
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Nonshared Environment ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Eating Practices

The current chapter reviews our progress in understanding how genes influence eating disorders by addressing the following areas: (1) how recognition of genetic influences on eating disorders emerged; (2) the complexities of gene environment interplay; (3) what twin studies can tell us about gene environment interplay, and (4) the current state of molecular genetic studies. It is concluded that both genes and nonshared environment play a critical role in the explanatory framework for the etiology of eating disorders. Shared environment is likely to contribute to the development of cognition and attitudes that may initiate disordered eating practices. Researchers are on the cusp of identifying specific genes that are implicated, and explication of the manner in which genes and the environment work together to increase risk for eating disorders hinges on the collection of larger samples.

Methodology for Twin Studies of Aging

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Lyons ◽  
Chandra A. Reynolds ◽  
William S. Kremen ◽  
Carol E. Franz
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Monozygotic Twins ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Environmental Exposures ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Correlation Prior

The rapidly increasing number of people age 65 and older around the world has important implications for public health and social policy, making it imperative to understand the factors that influence the aging process. Twin studies can provide information that addresses critical questions about aging. Twin studies capitalize on a naturally occurring experiment in which there are some pairs of individuals who are born together and share 100% of their segregating genes (monozygotic twins) and some pairs that share approximately 50% (dizygotic twins). Twins can shed light on the relative influence of genes and environmental factors on various characteristics at various times during the life course and whether the same or different genetic influences are operating at different times. Twin studies can investigate whether characteristics that co-occur reflect overlapping genetic or environmental determinants. Discordant twin pairs provide an opportunity for a unique and powerful case-control study. There are numerous methodological issues to consider in twin studies of aging, such as the representativeness of twins and the assumption that the environment does not promote greater similarity within monozygotic pairs than dizygotic pairs. Studies of aging using twins may include many different types of measures, such as cognitive, psychosocial, biomarkers, and neuroimaging. Sophisticated statistical techniques have been developed to analyze data from twin studies. Structural equation modeling has proven to be especially useful. Several issues, such as assessing change and dealing with missing data, are particularly salient in studies of aging and there are a number of approaches that have been implemented in twin studies. Twins lend themselves very well to investigating whether genes influence one’s sensitivity to environmental exposures (gene-environment interaction) and whether genes influence the likelihood that an individual will experience certain environmental exposures (gene-environment correlation). Prior to the advent of modern molecular genetics, twin studies were the most important source of information about genetic influences. Dramatic advances in molecular genetic technology hold the promise of providing great insight into genetic influences, but these approaches complement rather than supplant twin studies. Moreover, there is a growing trend toward integrating molecular genetic methods into twin studies.

The Genetics of Gambling and Behavioral Addictions

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 931-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela S.S. Lobo ◽  
James L. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Behavioral Addictions ◽  
Psychiatric Genetics ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Genetic Studies

ABSTRACTBehavioral addictions are considered as the repetitive occurrence of impulsive behaviors without consideration of their potential negative consequences. These addictions represent an increasing cost to society and are an important new field of research in psychiatric genetics. There has been a growing body of evidence on the familial aggregation and genetic influences on the development of behavioral addictions and mainly on pathological gambling. The aim of this article is to critically review findings of family and molecular genetic studies on behavioral addictions, focusing on pathological gambling and commenting on other disorders where appropriate. This review provides a comprehensive approach to genetic studies on behavioral addiction and points out the necessity of expanding the genetic research in this field. Future directions for genetic studies in this field are also discussed.

Introduction and Overview of Statistical Approaches to Gene × Environment Interactions for Complex Phenotypes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Windle
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Biological Pathway ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Individualized Intervention ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Complex Phenotypes ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Statistical Approaches

This chapter provides an introduction and overview of important issues that served as motivations for this book. For many complex phenotypes (e.g., depression, diabetes, obesity, substance use), there is substantial evidence that while genetic influences are important, so are environmental influences; moreover, there is substantial evidence from both behavior genetic studies (e.g., twin and adoptee studies) and molecular genetic studies (both human and infrahuman) that genes commonly interact with environmental factors in predicting complex phenotypes. The fields of genomics and other –omics (e.g., proteomics, metabolomics) provide exciting opportunities to advance science and foster the goals of public health and a more individualized intervention approach (e.g., precision medicine). The goals of these more individualized approaches would benefit greatly not only by advances in genomics and other –omics, but also by incorporating information both on environments and their interactions with genomic and other biological material and regulatory processes (e.g., environmental signal to biological pathway responses). Such findings would thereby offer more flexible guidance to a broader range of prevention, intervention, and treatment targets, and facilitate more tailored programs based on a fuller complement of G and E influences.

Behavior and Molecular Genetics of Personality Disorders

2012 ◽  
pp. 142-165
Author(s):  
Susan C. South ◽  
Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud ◽  
Nicholas R. Eaton ◽  
Robert F. Krueger
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Molecular Genetics ◽  
Behavior Genetics ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Personality Pathology ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the behavior and molecular genetics of personality disorder. We begin with a thorough review of findings from the field of behavior genetics of personality pathology, including univariate twin studies, multivariate twin studies, and new models of gene–environment interplay. We then discuss the molecular genetics of personality pathology, including a consideration of candidate gene analysis, linkage analysis, and genome-wide association studies. We focus in particular on research concerning antisocial personality disorder (including antisociality and aggression), borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, Cluster B and C personality disorders, and normal personality traits. We then provide a discussion of challenges and future directions with respect to behavior and molecular genetic research. We conclude the chapter with a discussion of the implications of this research for the forthcoming fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual.

Happiness and Wellbeing; the value and findings from genetic studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margot Van de Weijer ◽  
Lianne de Vries ◽  
Meike Bartels
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Ageing Populations

In light of major global trends (e.g., rise of ageing populations, increasing longevity, decreasing birth rates), maintaining, facilitating, and building well-being (WB) is crucial, but also becomes increasingly complex and demanding. Over the past decade, twin studies have helped us get better insight into the extent to which genes and environments contribute to individual differences in well-being. Our knowledge about these genetic and environmental factors is continuingly growing with studies on well-being related phenotypes, extensions of twin studies, molecular genetic studies, and environmental studies. In this chapter, we provide an overview of past, present, and future directions of behavioural genetic research on well-being, happiness, and related phenotypes.

Ordinary Origins of Psychological Problems

2021 ◽  
pp. 164-186
Author(s):  
Benjamin B. Lahey
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Polygenic Risk Score ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Basic Biology ◽  
Single Allele

This chapter summarizes the basic biology of inheritance, including chromosomes, genes, nucleotides, genotype, and gene expression. It uses these concepts and the logic of studies of the two kinds of twins—monozygotic and dizygotic—to define the concept of heritability as the proportion of differences on the dimension among people in the population that is attributable to genetic factors. The genetic variance in the phenotypes of psychological problems, such as depression, is never encoded in a single allele or genetic variant. Rather, every dimension of psychological problems is polygenic, meaning that many genetic variants have very small genetic influences on each dimension of psychological problems that must be combined to meaningfully measure the genetic component of risk at the molecular level. Often, single variations in individual nucleotides—the molecules arranged on DNA that serve as the letters of the genetic code—known as single nucleotide polymorphisms are summed to quantify the molecular genetic risk in a polygenic risk score. The nonspecific genetic influences at the top of the hierarchy of genetic influences result from some genetic variants being pleiotropic in the sense of directly or indirectly influencing essentially all dimensions of psychological problems. Identifying the specific genetic and environmental influences on dimensions of psychological problems at each level of the hierarchy is complicated because they operate together through the crucially important gene–environment correlations and interactions described in this chapter.

The Australian Twin ADHD Project: Current Status and Future Directions

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 718-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellie S. Bennett ◽  
David A. Hay ◽  
Jan Piek ◽  
Jillian Pearsall-Jones ◽  
Florence Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Twin Studies ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Twin Children ◽  
Twin Families ◽  
Major Commitment

AbstractThis article describes the Australian Twin Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Project (ATAP), the results of research conducted using this database and plans for future studies. Information has been actively collected from Australian families with twin children since 1991 for the ATAP database. The value of assessing siblings as well as twins is emphasized. Much work has gone into continuing the involvement of families in the study though this does become more difficult when twins reach maturity. The main focus of the project is ADHD in children and adolescents plus comorbid conditions including conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. A major challenge has been how to retain continuity in the assessments, while at the same time covering changes in psychiatric classification, such as the move to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Changes in the scale can affect the reports of twin similarity. Over the years, these twins have become part of other twin studies and future plans include linking different twin databases to investigate the relationships between childhood behavior and adult conditions. Recruitment, assessment and retention of twin families require a major commitment but create a significant resource for collaboration in areas outside the original aim.

Recent Developments in the Clinical Assessment of Personality Disorders

1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Widiger ◽  
Seth R. Axelrod
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Normal Personality ◽  
Personality Functioning ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Recent Developments

Each of the latest editions of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has given special attention to the diagnosis of personality disorders. However, the assessment of personality disorders is among the most problematic and controversial of the mental disorders. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the major issues in the assessment of personality disorders, and to provide suggestions for their resolution. Issues that are covered include the differentiation of personality disorders from other mental disorders, from other personality disorders, and from normal personality functioning. We also discuss alternative instruments for the assessment of personality disorders, focusing in particular on various self-report inventories and semistructured interviews.

Heritability in the Era of Molecular Genetics: Some Thoughts for Understanding Genetic Influences on Behavioural Traits

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Johnson ◽  
Lars Penke ◽  
Frank M. Spinath
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetics ◽  
Quantitative Genetics ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
Psychological Constructs ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Important Evidence ◽  
Dominant Paradigm

Genetic influences on behavioural traits are ubiquitous. When behaviourism was the dominant paradigm in psychology, demonstrations of heritability of behavioural and psychological constructs provided important evidence of its limitations. Now that genetic influences on behavioural traits are generally accepted, we need to recognise the limitations of heritability as an indicator of both the aetiology and likelihood of discovering molecular genetic associations with behavioural traits. We review those limitations and conclude that quantitative genetics and genetically informative research designs are still critical to understanding the roles of gene–environment interplay in developmental processes, though not necessarily in the ways commonly discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document