scholarly journals Towards a molecular epidemiology of alcohol dependence: Analysing the interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors

2001 ◽  
Vol 178 (S40) ◽  
pp. s33-s40 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Heath ◽  
P. A. F. Madden ◽  
K. K. Bucholz ◽  
L. J. Bierut ◽  
J. B. Whitfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Alcohol Sensitivity ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
Integrate Analysis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Childhood Conduct

BackgroundProgress in identifying genetic factors protective against alcohol dependence (AIcD) requires a paradigm shift in psychiatric epidemiology.AimsTo integrate analysis of research into the genetics of alcoholism.MethodData from prospective questionnaire and interview surveys of the Australian twin panel, and from a subsample who underwent alcohol challenge, were analysed.ResultsIn men, effects of alcohol dehydrogenase ADH2∗1/∗2 genotype or high alcohol sensitivity (risk-decreasing), and of history of childhood conduct disorder, or having monozygotic co-twin or twin sister with AIcD (risk-increasing) were significant and comparable in magnitude. Religious affiliation (Anglican versus other) was associated with the ADH2 genotype, but did not explain the associations with AIcD symptoms. No protective effect of the ADH2∗1/∗2 genotype was observed in women.ConclusionsThe early onset and strong familial aggregation of AIcD, and opportunity for within-family tests of genetic association to avoid confounding effects, make epidemiological family studies of adolescents and young adults and their families a priority.

scholarly journals Familial Aggregation of Psoriasis and Co-Aggregation of Autoimmune Diseases in Affected Families

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Huei Huang ◽  
Chang-Fu Kuo ◽  
Lu-Hsiang Huang ◽  
Mei-Yun Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Genetic Contribution ◽  
Degree Relative ◽  
Nationwide Study ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
History Of

Psoriasis is considered to result from the interaction of genetic factors and environmental exposure. The evidence for familial aggregation in psoriasis has been reported but population-based studies related to the magnitude of genetic contribution to psoriasis are rare. This study aimed to evaluate the relative risks of psoriasis in individuals with affected relatives and to calculate the proportion of genetic, shared, and non-shared environmental factors contributing to psoriasis. The study cohort included 69,828 patients diagnosed with psoriasis enrolled in National health Insurance in 2010. The adjusted relative risks (RR) for individuals with an affected first-degree relative and affected second-degree relative were 5.50 (95% CI (Confidence Interval), 5.19–5.82) and 2.54 (95% CI, 2.08–3.12) respectively. For those who have affected first-degree relatives, their RR was 1.45 (95% CI, 1.17–1.79) for Sjogren’s syndrome and 1.94 (95% CI, 1.15–3.27) for systemic sclerosis. This nationwide study ascertains that family history of psoriasis is a risk factor for psoriasis. Individuals with relatives affected by psoriasis have higher risks of developing some autoimmune diseases.

scholarly journals Familial aggregation of status epilepticus in generalized and focal epilepsies

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (15) ◽  
pp. e2140-e2149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith L.Z. Weisenberg ◽  
Robert T. Fitzgerald ◽  
John N. Constantino ◽  
Melodie R. Winawer ◽  
Liu Lin Thio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Status Epilepticus ◽  
Generalized Estimating Equations ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Genome Project ◽  
Degree Relative ◽  
History Of

ObjectiveTo determine whether familial aggregation of status epilepticus (SE) occurs in a large cohort of familial common epilepsies.MethodsWe used the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project dataset, which consisted of 2,197 participants in 1,043 family units with ≥2 members having a common generalized or nonacquired focal epilepsy (NAFE). We identified participants with a history of traditionally defined SE (TSE) (seizures ≥30 minutes) and operationally defined SE (OSE) (seizures ≥10 minutes) by chart review. We assessed familial aggregation of TSE and OSE using χ2 analysis and generalized estimating equations (GEE).ResultsOne hundred fifty-five (7%) participants in 1,043 families had ≥1 episodes of TSE. Two hundred fifty (11%) had ≥1 episodes of OSE. In a χ2 analysis, the number of family units with ≥2 members having TSE (odds ratio [OR] 4.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.56–8.97) or OSE (OR 4.23, 95% CI 2.67–6.70) was greater than expected by chance. In GEE models adjusted for sex, broad epilepsy class (GE or NAFE), age at onset, and duration of epilepsy, TSE in a proband predicted TSE in a first-degree relative (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.24–6.22), and OSE in a proband predicted OSE in a first-degree relative (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.65–5.15). The results remained significant in models addressing epilepsy severity by incorporating the number of antiseizure medications used or epilepsy surgery.ConclusionsTSE and OSE showed robust familial aggregation in a cohort of familial epilepsy independently of epilepsy severity or class, suggesting that genetic factors contribute to SE independently of the genetic cause of these epilepsies.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT00552045.

scholarly journals Genetic differences in alcohol sensitivity and the inheritance of alcoholism risk

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1069-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. HEATH ◽  
P. A. F. MADDEN ◽  
K. K. BUCHOLZ ◽  
S. H. DINWIDDIE ◽  
W. S. SLUTSKE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Alcohol Sensitivity ◽  
Parental Alcoholism ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Age Cohort ◽  
History Of ◽  
Alcoholism Risk

Background. Substantial evidence exists for an important genetic contribution to alcohol dependence risk in women and men. It has been suggested that genetically determined differences in alcohol sensitivity may represent one pathway by which an increase in alcohol dependence risk occurs.Methods. Telephone interview follow-up data were obtained on twins from male, female and unlike-sex twin pairs who had participated in an alcohol challenge study in 1979–81, as well as other pairs from the same Australian twin panel surveyed by mail in 1980–82.Results. At follow-up, alcohol challenge men did not differ from other male twins from the same age cohort on measures of lifetime psychopathology or drinking habits; but alcohol challenge women were on average heavier drinkers than other women. Acomposite alcohol sensitivity measure, combining subjective intoxication and increase in body-sway after alcohol challenge in 1979–81, exhibited high heritability (60%). Parental alcoholism history was weakly associated with decreased alcohol sensitivity in women, but not after adjustment for baseline drinking history, or in men. High alcohol sensitivity in men was associated with substantially reduced alcohol dependence risk (OR=0·05, 95% CI 0·01–0·39). Furthermore, significantly decreased (i.e. low) alcohol sensitivity was observed in non-alcoholic males whose MZ co-twin had a history of alcohol dependence, compared to other non-alcoholics. These associations remained significant in conservative analyses that controlled for respondents' alcohol consumption levels and alcohol problems in 1979–81.Conclusions. Men (but not women) at increased genetic risk of alcohol dependence (assessed by MZ co-twin's history of alcohol dependence) exhibited reduced alcohol sensitivity. Associations with parental alcoholism were inconsistent.

Hereditary influence in alcohol dependence

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S320-S320
Author(s):  
J. Teixeira ◽  
G. Pereira ◽  
T. Mota ◽  
J. Cabral Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Affected Relative ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Hereditary Factors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionAlcohol dependence is one of the psychiatric disorders for which hereditary influence is strongest. In fact, the importance of genetic factors in transmission of vulnerability to alcohol dependence was first described in literature many years ago by psychiatrists who dedicate to its study. That vulnerability may be explained by an epigenetic model in which biological hereditary factors associate with environmental factors to cause alcohol dependence.ObjectivesStudy the influence of genetic factors on alcohol dependence.MethodsDuring 4 consecutive months a sample of alcoholic patients was collected from the Alcohol Treatment Unit of CHPL (inpatients and outpatients). Biographic data, patient's psychiatric diagnosis and family history of alcohol dependence or of dependence of other drugs were recorded.ResultsInitial sample included 122 patients. After exclusion of patients who were also hospitalized in that period, the final sample included 102 patients (26% female), with a mean age of 48 years old. Main patients’ diagnosis was alcohol dependence but most of them (52%) presented psychiatric comorbidity. Most patients (55%) had family history of alcohol dependence or dependence of other substances, 26% did not have and 19% did not know. For 61% of patients, the father and/or mother were the affected relative. Most patients (61%) who had a family history of alcohol dependence or dependence of other substances had 2 or more affected relatives.ConclusionsMost patients with alcohol dependence have family history of alcohol dependence or dependence of other substances, usually in more than 1 relative, which must be taken in account during treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Familial Aggregation and Heritability of Myopia: A Local Population Survey in Shanxi, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Qin Wang ◽  
Hao-Yu Bi ◽  
Chun-Fang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
High Myopia ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Local Population ◽  
First Degree Relatives ◽  
Refractive Status ◽  
Students First ◽  
History Of ◽  
Family Aggregation

Purpose. To further determine the roles of environmental and genetic factors in the development of myopia, a comprehensive survey was performed. The guidance for myopia-susceptible people is established which might help prevent or delay the onset and development of myopia. Methods. 1,852 students were recruited using the multistage sampling approach from the Gaoping county in Shanxi. The refractive status of students was examined using an autorefractometer, and the refractive status of students’ first-degree relatives was collected using a well-designed questionnaire. Family aggregation of myopia was analyzed according to the myopic status of the students (nonmyopic or myopic group). The prevalence and heritability of myopia in students and their first-degree relatives were further explored by subdividing into mild, moderate, and high myopia groups. Significance analysis among each group was performed by the χ2 test using SPSS 25.0 software. Falconer’s method was used to calculate the inheritability of myopia. Results. A total of 1,852 subjects were recruited in this study, and 1,813 subjects were finally included. The family aggregation of myopia in the myopic student group (34.7%) was significantly higher than that in the nonmyopic group (8.5%). The prevalence of mild, moderate, and high myopia in children (students and siblings) was higher than that in their parents. The rate of high myopia (6.33%) was significantly higher among students with one or both myopic parents than those without myopic parents (3.85%). The heritability of mild, moderate, and high myopia among parents-offspring was 3.72%, 20.47%, and 48.00%, respectively. The heritability of mild, moderate, and high myopia among siblings was 17.50%, 86.09%, and 78.75%, which is significantly higher than that among parents-offspring. In addition to genetic factors, extensive near-work time, higher education pressure, and minimal outdoor activities contribute significantly to mild and moderate myopia. Conclusions. Myopia is of high risk due to familial aggregation. Students with a family history of myopia are more likely to have high myopia than those without family history. The occurrence and development of high myopia are affected by both the genetic and environmental factors, which could either weaken or strengthen myopia. Therefore, students with a family history of myopia should pay close attention to their eye health to avoid the occurrence of myopia and the deepening of diopter, which may lead to high myopia and its related complications.

The Beginnings of Islam in Afghanistan

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arezou Azad
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Political System ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Eighth Century ◽  
Religious Context ◽  
Early Islam ◽  
History Of ◽  
Initial Conversion ◽  
The Way

Covering the period from 709 to 871, this chapter traces the initial conversion of Afghanistan from Zoroastrianism and Buddhism to Islam. Highlighting the differential developments in four regions of Afghanistan, it discusses the very earliest history of Afghan Islam both as a religion and as a political system in the form of a caliphate.  The chapter draws on under-utilized sources, such as fourth to eighth century Bactrian documents from Tukharistan and medieval Arabic and Persian histories of Balkh, Herat and Sistan. In so doing, it offers a paradigm shift in the way early Islam is understood by arguing that it did not arrive in Afghanistan as a finished product, but instead grew out of Afghanistan’s multi-religious context. Through fusions with Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, early Abrahamic traditions, and local cult practices, the Islam that resulted was less an Arab Islam that was imported wholesale than a patchwork of various cultural practices.

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