Jessica L Bar | PubMed Health

PubMed2004

Gene-environment interactions in mental disorders.

Research clearly shows that both nature and nurture play important roles in the genesis of psychopathology. In this paper, we focus on 'gene-environment interaction' in mental disorders, using genetic control of sensitivity to the environment as our definition of that term. We begin with an examination of methodological issues involving gene-environment interactions, with examples concerning psychiatric and neurological conditions. Then we review the interactions in psychiatric disorders using twin, adoption and association designs. Finally, we consider gene-environment interactions in selected neurodevelopmental disorders (autism and schizophrenia).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Nicotine and familial vulnerability to schizophrenia: a discordant twin study.

Tobacco use is significantly associated with schizophrenia. However, it is not clear if smoking is associated with the illness itself, treatment, or underlying vulnerability to the disease. Smoking was studied in a sample of schizophrenic probands (n = 24), their unaffected co-twins (n = 24), and controls (n = 3,347). Unaffected co-twins had higher rates of daily smoking than controls. Probands and co-twins were more frequently unsuccessful in attempts to quit than controls. Probands reported shaky hands and depression following smoking cessation more often than controls, whereas unaffected co-twins reported difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, nervousness, and headache following smoking cessation more often than controls. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that nicotine use is influenced by familial vulnerability to schizophrenia, not just clinical schizophrenia per se.

Adult↗