Adventurousness cuts both ways: a Mendelian randomization of adventurousness on 10 cognitive and behavioral traits

AbstractAdventurousness is speculated to improve happiness but also predispose to risky behaviors. Since non-experimental studies can suffer from confounding and reverse causation, and personality traits cannot be randomized, it is challenging to unravel how adventurousness impacts the mind and behavior. Mendelian randomization (MR), a quasi-randomization technique that uses genetic variants as instruments to avoid confounding and reverse causation, is an attractive option in this setting. We used MR to explore self-reported adventurousness and 10 cognitive and behavioral traits. Adventurousness decreased neuroticism and mood swings and increased years of schooling. In contrast, it also predisposed to risky behaviors (increasing the number of lifetime sexual partners, the propensity to speed in an automobile, and lifetime smoking, and decreasing the age of first having sexual intercourse). The results suggest being adventurous “cuts both ways”, evincing bivalent influences and underscoring the reality that trade-offs often accompany many human personality constructs.

Download Full-text

How Homo economicus lost her mind and how we can revive her

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x1800033x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

Author(s):

Peter DeScioli

Keyword(s):

Economic Thought ◽

History Of Economic Thought ◽

Homo Economicus ◽

Economic Theories ◽

Target Article ◽

History Of ◽

The Mind ◽

And Behavior

AbstractThe target article by Boyer & Petersen (B&P) contributes a vital message: that people have folk economic theories that shape their thoughts and behavior in the marketplace. This message is all the more important because, in the history of economic thought, Homo economicus was increasingly stripped of mental capacities. Intuitive theories can help restore the mind of Homo economicus.

Download Full-text

A chronology of Distributed Adaptive Control

10.1093/oso/9780199674923.003.0036 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Paul F. M. J. Verschure

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Control ◽

Human Robot Interaction ◽

Integration Framework ◽

The Social ◽

Distributed Adaptive Control ◽

Core Components ◽

Mind And Brain ◽

Convergent Validation ◽

The Mind ◽

And Behavior

This chapter presents the Distributed Adaptive Control (DAC) theory of the mind and brain of living machines. DAC provides an explanatory framework for biological brains and an integration framework for synthetic ones. DAC builds on several themes presented in the handbook: it integrates different perspectives on mind and brain, exemplifies the synthetic method in understanding living machines, answers well-defined constraints faced by living machines, and provides a route for the convergent validation of anatomy, physiology, and behavior in our explanation of biological living machines. DAC addresses the fundamental question of how a living machine can obtain, retain, and express valid knowledge of its world. We look at the core components of DAC, specific benchmarks derived from the engagement with the physical and the social world (the H4W and the H5W problems) in foraging and human–robot interaction tasks. Lastly we address how DAC targets the UTEM benchmark and the relation with contemporary developments in AI.

Download Full-text

Hormones and Behavior

The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Behavioral Endocrinology ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190649739.013.2 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 11-26

Author(s):

Maren N. Vitousek ◽

Laura A. Schoenle

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Life Histories ◽

Life History Traits ◽

Developmental Plasticity ◽

Endocrine System ◽

Phenotypic Traits ◽

Social Environments ◽

Trade Offs ◽

And Behavior

Hormones mediate the expression of life history traits—phenotypic traits that contribute to lifetime fitness (i.e., reproductive timing, growth rate, number and size of offspring). The endocrine system shapes phenotype by organizing tissues during developmental periods and by activating changes in behavior, physiology, and morphology in response to varying physical and social environments. Because hormones can simultaneously regulate many traits (hormonal pleiotropy), they are important mediators of life history trade-offs among growth, reproduction, and survival. This chapter reviews the role of hormones in shaping life histories with an emphasis on developmental plasticity and reversible flexibility in endocrine and life history traits. It also discusses the advantages of studying hormone–behavior interactions from an evolutionary perspective. Recent research in evolutionary endocrinology has provided insight into the heritability of endocrine traits, how selection on hormone systems may influence the evolution of life histories, and the role of hormonal pleiotropy in driving or constraining evolution.

Download Full-text

Genetic predictors of participation in optional components of UK Biobank

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-21073-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Tyrrell ◽

Jie Zheng ◽

Robin Beaumont ◽

Kathryn Hinton ◽

Tom G. Richardson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Mendelian Randomization ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Mr Studies ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Participation Bias ◽

Genetic Predictors

AbstractLarge studies such as UK Biobank are increasingly used for GWAS and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. However, selection into and dropout from studies may bias genetic and phenotypic associations. We examine genetic factors affecting participation in four optional components in up to 451,306 UK Biobank participants. We used GWAS to identify genetic variants associated with participation, MR to estimate effects of phenotypes on participation, and genetic correlations to compare participation bias across different studies. 32 variants were associated with participation in one of the optional components (P < 6 × 10−9), including loci with links to intelligence and Alzheimer’s disease. Genetic correlations demonstrated that participation bias was common across studies. MR showed that longer educational duration, older menarche and taller stature increased participation, whilst higher levels of adiposity, dyslipidaemia, neuroticism, Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia reduced participation. Our effect estimates can be used for sensitivity analysis to account for selective participation biases in genetic or non-genetic analyses.

Download Full-text

Bias in two-sample Mendelian randomization when using heritable covariable-adjusted summary associations

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyaa266 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fernando Pires Hartwig ◽

Kate Tilling ◽

George Davey Smith ◽

Deborah A Lawlor ◽

Maria Carolina Borges

Keyword(s):

Waist Circumference ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Mendelian Randomization ◽

Causal Effect ◽

Association Studies ◽

Real Data ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Effect Estimate ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Residual Confounding

Abstract Background Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) allows the use of freely accessible summary association results from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to estimate causal effects of modifiable exposures on outcomes. Some GWAS adjust for heritable covariables in an attempt to estimate direct effects of genetic variants on the trait of interest. One, both or neither of the exposure GWAS and outcome GWAS may have been adjusted for covariables. Methods We performed a simulation study comprising different scenarios that could motivate covariable adjustment in a GWAS and analysed real data to assess the influence of using covariable-adjusted summary association results in two-sample MR. Results In the absence of residual confounding between exposure and covariable, between exposure and outcome, and between covariable and outcome, using covariable-adjusted summary associations for two-sample MR eliminated bias due to horizontal pleiotropy. However, covariable adjustment led to bias in the presence of residual confounding (especially between the covariable and the outcome), even in the absence of horizontal pleiotropy (when the genetic variants would be valid instruments without covariable adjustment). In an analysis using real data from the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium and UK Biobank, the causal effect estimate of waist circumference on blood pressure changed direction upon adjustment of waist circumference for body mass index. Conclusions Our findings indicate that using covariable-adjusted summary associations in MR should generally be avoided. When that is not possible, careful consideration of the causal relationships underlying the data (including potentially unmeasured confounders) is required to direct sensitivity analyses and interpret results with appropriate caution.

Download Full-text

Circulating Alpha-Tocopherol Levels, Bone Mineral Density, and Fracture: Mendelian Randomization Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13061940 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1940

Author(s):

Karl Michaëlsson ◽

Susanna C. Larsson

Keyword(s):

Bone Mineral Density ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Mendelian Randomization ◽

Alpha Tocopherol ◽

European Ancestry ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Standard Deviation Increase ◽

A Genome

Recent cohort studies indicate a potential role of the antioxidant α-tocopherol in reducing bone loss and risk of fractures, especially hip fractures. We performed a Mendelian randomization investigation of the associations of circulating α-tocopherol with estimated bone mineral density (eBMD) using heel ultrasound and fractures, identified from hospital records or by self-reports and excluding minor fractures. Circulating α-tocopherol was instrumented by three genetic variants associated with α-tocopherol levels at p < 5 × 10−8 in a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 7781 participants of European ancestry. Summary-level data for the genetic associations with eBMD in 426,824 individuals and with fracture (53,184 cases and 373,611 non-cases) were acquired from the UK Biobank. Two of the three genetic variants were strongly associated with eBMD. In inverse-variance weighted analysis, a genetically predicted one-standard-deviation increase of circulating α-tocopherol was associated with 0.07 (95% confidence interval, 0.05 to 0.09) g/cm2 increase in BMD, which corresponds to a >10% higher BMD. Genetically predicted circulating α-tocopherol was not associated with odds of any fracture (odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.05). In conclusion, our results strongly strengthen a causal link between increased circulating α-tocopherol and greater BMD. Both an intervention study in those with a low dietary intake of α-tocopherol is warranted and a Mendelian randomization study with fragility fractures as an outcome.

Download Full-text

Do Animals Play a Role in the Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)? A Commentary

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 16

Author(s):

Anna Costagliola ◽

Giovanna Liguori ◽

Danila d’Angelo ◽

Caterina Costa ◽

Francesca Ciani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Infectious Agent ◽

Human Infection ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Partial Protection ◽

Management Measures ◽

First Case ◽

And Behavior

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the Beta-coronavirus genus. It is 96.2% homologous to bat CoV RaTG13 and 88% homologous to two bat SARS-like coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first reported in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, at the beginning of December 2019. Human transmission from COVID-19 patients or incubation carriers occurs via coughing, sneezing, speaking, discharge from the nose, or fecal contamination. Various strains of the virus have been reported around the world, with different virulence and behavior. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 shares certain epitopes with some taxonomically related viruses, with tropism for the most common synanthropic animals. By elucidating the immunological properties of the circulating SARS-CoV-2, a partial protection due to human–animal interactions could be supposed in some situations. In addition, differential epitopes could be used for the differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There have been cases of transmission from people with COVID-19 to pets such as cats and dogs. In addition, wild felines were infected. All These animals were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and recovered spontaneously. Experimental studies showed cats and ferrets to be more susceptible to COVID-19. COVID-19 positive dogs and felines do not transmit the infection to humans. In contrast, minks at farms were severely infected from people with COVID-19. A SARS-Cov-2 variant in the Danish farmed mink that had been previously infected by COVID-19 positive workers, spread to mink workers causing the first case of animal-to-human infection transmission that causes a moderate decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Thus, more investigations are necessary. It remains important to understand the risk that people with COVID-19 pose to their pets, as well as wild or farm animals so effective recommendations and risk management measures against COVID-19 can be made. A One Health unit that facilitates collaboration between public health and veterinary services is recommended.

Download Full-text

A Multicriteria Decision Model for Assessment of Failure Consequences in the RCM Approach

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2015/729865 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Marcelo H. Alencar ◽

Adiel T. de Almeida

Keyword(s):

Failure Mode ◽

Decision Model ◽

Probability Distributions ◽

Maintenance Planning ◽

Multiattribute Utility ◽

Five Dimensions ◽

Multicriteria Decision ◽

Reliability Centered Maintenance ◽

Trade Offs ◽

And Behavior

This paper proposes a multicriteria decision model based on MAUT (Multiattribute Utility Theory) incorporated into an RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance) approach in order to provide a better assessment of the consequences of failure, allowing a more effective maintenance planning. MAUT provides an evaluation of probability distributions on each attribute as well as trade-offs involving lotteries. The model proposed takes advantage of such evaluations and it also restructures consequence groups established in an RCM approach into new five dimensions. As a result, overall indices of utility are computed for each failure mode analyzed. With these values, the ranking of the alternatives is established. The decision-maker’s preferences are taken into account so that the final result for each failure mode incorporates subjective aspects based on the decision-maker’s perceptions and behavior.

Download Full-text

Müllerian inhibiting substance contributes to sex-linked biases in the brain and behavior

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.0902253106 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 106 (17) ◽

pp. 7203-7208 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Pei-Yu Wang ◽

Anna Protheroe ◽

Andrew N. Clarkson ◽

Floriane Imhoff ◽

Kyoko Koishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Neurons ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Behavioral Traits ◽

Spinal Motor Neurons ◽

Müllerian Inhibiting Substance ◽

Males And Females ◽

Brain And Behavior ◽

And Behavior ◽

The Brain ◽

Mullerian Inhibiting Substance

Many behavioral traits and most brain disorders are common to males and females but are more evident in one sex than the other. The control of these subtle sex-linked biases is largely unstudied and has been presumed to mirror that of the highly dimorphic reproductive nuclei. Sexual dimorphism in the reproductive tract is a product of Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS), as well as the sex steroids. Males with a genetic deficiency in MIS signaling are sexually males, leading to the presumption that MIS is not a neural regulator. We challenge this presumption by reporting that most immature neurons in mice express the MIS-specific receptor (MISRII) and that male Mis−/− and Misrii−/− mice exhibit subtle feminization of their spinal motor neurons and of their exploratory behavior. Consequently, MIS may be a broad regulator of the subtle sex-linked biases in the nervous system.

Download Full-text

Coffee Consumption and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072218 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2218

Author(s):

Shuai Yuan ◽

Paul Carter ◽

Amy M. Mason ◽

Stephen Burgess ◽

Susanna C. Larsson

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Mendelian Randomization ◽

Coffee Consumption ◽

Uk Biobank ◽

The Uk

Coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in observational studies, but whether the associations are causal is not known. We conducted a Mendelian randomization investigation to assess the potential causal role of coffee consumption in cardiovascular disease. Twelve independent genetic variants were used to proxy coffee consumption. Summary-level data for the relations between the 12 genetic variants and cardiovascular diseases were taken from the UK Biobank with up to 35,979 cases and the FinnGen consortium with up to 17,325 cases. Genetic predisposition to higher coffee consumption was not associated with any of the 15 studied cardiovascular outcomes in univariable MR analysis. The odds ratio per 50% increase in genetically predicted coffee consumption ranged from 0.97 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.63, 1.50) for intracerebral hemorrhage to 1.26 (95% CI, 1.00, 1.58) for deep vein thrombosis in the UK Biobank and from 0.86 (95% CI, 0.50, 1.49) for subarachnoid hemorrhage to 1.34 (95% CI, 0.81, 2.22) for intracerebral hemorrhage in FinnGen. The null findings remained in multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses adjusted for genetically predicted body mass index and smoking initiation, except for a suggestive positive association for intracerebral hemorrhage (odds ratio 1.91; 95% CI, 1.03, 3.54) in FinnGen. This Mendelian randomization study showed limited evidence that coffee consumption affects the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, suggesting that previous observational studies may have been confounded.

Download Full-text