Challenges That Face Behavioral Genetic Studies: Researchers Perspective from the MENA Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar F. Khabour ◽  
Ahmed A. Abu-Siniyeh ◽  
Karem H. Alzoubi ◽  
Nihaya A. Al-Sheyab
Keyword(s):  
Human Behavior ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
Responsible Conduct Of Research ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Behavioral Genetic

Background: Behavioral genetic studies are important for the understanding of the contribution of genetic variations to human behavior. However, such studies might be associated with some ethical concerns. Methods: In the current study, ethical challenges related to studies of genetic variations contributing to human behavior were examined among researchers. To achieve the study purpose, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region researchers were taken as an example, where the aftermentioned ethical challenges were discussed among a group of researchers, who were the participants of an online forum. Discussions and responses of the participants were monitored and were later qualitatively analyzed. Results: Discussions revealed that several ethical challenges, including subjects’ recruitment, the difficulty of obtaining informed consents, and issues of privacy and confidentiality of obtained data as information leakage, in this case, will lead to social stigma and isolation of the participants and their immediate family members. Jordanian social and cultural norms, faith, and the tribal nature of the population were raised as a major challenge that might face conducting behavioral genetic studies in the Arab populations of the MENA. The lack of regulation related to the conduction of genetic studies, misunderstanding, and misuse of genetic information are other challenges. A full explanation of genetic research and the current and future possible benefits/risks of such research could be potential solutions. Conclusion: In conclusion, the MENA populations are tackled with major challenges in relation to conducting research studies in genetics/antisocial behavior field/s. Establishment of guidelines related to genetic studies, capacity building, increasing public awareness about the importance of genetic testing, and enhancing responsible conduct of research will facilitate the conduct of such sensitive studies in the future in the region.

Behavioral Genetics: Concepts for Research and Practice in Language Development and Disorders

1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1126-1142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Gilger
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Behavioral Genetic ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Future Goals ◽  
Current State ◽  
Research Designs

This paper is an introduction to behavioral genetics for researchers and practioners in language development and disorders. The specific aims are to illustrate some essential concepts and to show how behavioral genetic research can be applied to the language sciences. Past genetic research on language-related traits has tended to focus on simple etiology (i.e., the heritability or familiality of language skills). The current state of the art, however, suggests that great promise lies in addressing more complex questions through behavioral genetic paradigms. In terms of future goals it is suggested that: (a) more behavioral genetic work of all types should be done—including replications and expansions of preliminary studies already in print; (b) work should focus on fine-grained, theory-based phenotypes with research designs that can address complex questions in language development; and (c) work in this area should utilize a variety of samples and methods (e.g., twin and family samples, heritability and segregation analyses, linkage and association tests, etc.).

scholarly journals Genetic variations influence brain changes in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh K. Yadav ◽  
Ajaz A. Bhat ◽  
Sheema Hashem ◽  
Sabah Nisar ◽  
Madeeha Kamal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Brain Imaging ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
Imaging Genetics ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Clinical Biomarkers ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological and neurodevelopmental childhood-onset disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattentiveness, impulsiveness, restlessness, and hyperactivity. These symptoms may continue in 55–66% of cases from childhood into adulthood. Even though the precise etiology of ADHD is not fully understood, it is considered as a multifactorial and heterogeneous disorder with several contributing factors such as heritability, auxiliary to neurodevelopmental issues, severe brain injuries, neuroinflammation, consanguineous marriages, premature birth, and exposure to environmental toxins. Neuroimaging and neurodevelopmental assessments may help to explore the possible role of genetic variations on ADHD neuropsychobiology. Multiple genetic studies have observed a strong genetic association with various aspects of neuropsychobiological functions, including neural abnormalities and delayed neurodevelopment in ADHD. The advancement in neuroimaging and molecular genomics offers the opportunity to analyze the impact of genetic variations alongside its dysregulated pathways on structural and functional derived brain imaging phenotypes in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including ADHD. Recently, neuroimaging genomic studies observed a significant association of brain imaging phenotypes with genetic susceptibility in ADHD. Integrating the neuroimaging-derived phenotypes with genomics deciphers various neurobiological pathways that can be leveraged for the development of novel clinical biomarkers, new treatment modalities as well as therapeutic interventions for ADHD patients. In this review, we discuss the neurobiology of ADHD with particular emphasis on structural and functional changes in the ADHD brain and their interactions with complex genomic variations utilizing imaging genetics methodologies. We also highlight the genetic variants supposedly allied with the development of ADHD and how these, in turn, may affect the brain circuit function and related behaviors. In addition to reviewing imaging genetic studies, we also examine the need for complementary approaches at various levels of biological complexity and emphasize the importance of combining and integrating results to explore biological pathways involved in ADHD disorder. These approaches include animal models, computational biology, bioinformatics analyses, and multimodal imaging genetics studies.

Responsible Conduct of Research in Genetic Studies

2021 ◽  
pp. 79-104
Author(s):  
Susan Estabrooks Hahn ◽  
Adam Buchanan ◽  
Chantelle Wolpert ◽  
Susan H. Blanton
Keyword(s):  
Responsible Conduct Of Research ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Responsible Conduct

scholarly journals Quality of life of patients living with psoriasis: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
silmara Meneguin ◽  
Natalia Godoy ◽  
Camila Fernandes Pollo ◽  
Helio Amante Miot ◽  
Cesar Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Professional Activities

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease prevalent in dermatology. We aimed to understand the perceptions of patients living with psoriasis in relation to their quality of life and to identify aspects to improve it. Methods: This is qualitative research carried out in a dermatology outpatient clinic of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) medical school, Botucatu, Brazil, with 81 psoriasis patients. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using the Discourse of the Collective Subject method (DCS). Results: Quality of life was linked to well-being, happiness, leisure, good food and financial stability. However, disease symptoms, social and clothing restrictions, impairment of professional activities and the absence of a cure, negatively influenced their perceptions. Suggestions for improvements included an increase of public awareness, stress reduction, disease acceptance and multidisciplinary care. Conclusion: The meanings of quality of life revealed by the participants are subjective, multidimensional, linked to moments experienced by them and to the health-disease process. Public health policies promoting reduction in social stigma and stress as well as multidisciplinary approaches towards care can contribute to improvements of QoL in psoriasis.

scholarly journals The role of genetic research with family design in the study of affective disorders

2019 ◽  
pp. 106-108
Author(s):  
E. D. Kasyanov ◽  
G. E. Maso ◽  
A. O. Kibitov
Keyword(s):  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Bipolar Affective Disorder ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Important Criterion ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
The Family ◽  
Polygenic Diseases ◽  
Potential Biomarkers

Affective disorders (recurrent depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder) are multifactorial and polygenic diseases, which suggests the involvement of multiple neurobiological mechanisms. The phenotype of affective disorders is a heterogeneous group of clinically similar psychopathological symptoms, which also makes it difficult to detect potential biomarkers and new therapeutic targets. To study families at high risk of developing affective disorders using both clinical and molecular genetic approaches can help to study the neurobiological basis of depressive conditions, as well as to identify endophenotypes of affective disorders. The most important criterion for an endophenotype is its heritability, which can be proved only within the framework of the family design of the study. Comprehensive clinical and molecular genetic studies based on family design have the best prospects.

scholarly journals Observed positive parenting behaviors and youth genotype: Evidence for gene–environment correlations and moderation by parent personality traits

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline W. Oppenheimer ◽  
Benjamin L. Hankin ◽  
Jessica L. Jenness ◽  
Jami F. Young ◽  
Andrew Smolen
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Parenting Behaviors ◽  
Positive Parenting ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Parent Personality

AbstractGene–environment correlations (rGE) have been demonstrated in behavioral genetic studies, but rGE have proven elusive in molecular genetic research. Significant gene–environment correlations may be difficult to detect because potential moderators could reduce correlations between measured genetic variants and the environment. Molecular genetic studies investigating moderated rGE are lacking. This study examined associations between child catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype and aspects of positive parenting (responsiveness and warmth), and whether these associations were moderated by parental personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) among a general community sample of third, sixth, and ninth graders (N = 263) and their parents. Results showed that parent personality traits moderated the rGE association between youths' genotype and coded observations of positive parenting. Parents with low levels of neuroticism and high levels of extraversion exhibited greater sensitive responsiveness and warmth, respectively, to youth with the valine/valine genotype. Moreover, youth with this genotype exhibited lower levels of observed anger. There was no association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype and parenting behaviors for parents high on neuroticism and low on extraversion. Findings highlight the importance of considering moderating variables that may influence child genetic effects on the rearing environment. Implications for developmental models of maladaptive and adaptive child outcomes, and interventions for psychopathology, are discussed within a developmental psychopathology framework.

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.

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