scholarly journals A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robino ◽  
Concas ◽  
Catamo ◽  
Gasparini
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Candidate Gene Studies

Genetic variation plays a crucial role in individual differences in food preferences which ultimately influence food selection and health. Our current understanding of this pathway has been informed through twin studies (to assess the heritability of food preferences), candidate gene studies, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, most of this literature is mainly focused on genes previously identified as having taste or smell functions. New data suggests that genes not associated with taste or smell perception may be involved in food preferences and contribute to health outcomes. This review highlights these emerging findings and suggests a polygenic risk assessment approach to explore new relationships between food preferences and health risks.

Genetic contributions to anxiety disorders: where we are and where we are heading

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Helga Ask ◽  
Rosa Cheesman ◽  
Eshim S. Jami ◽  
Daniel F. Levey ◽  
Kirstin L. Purves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genome Wide

Abstract Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide. They often onset early in life, with symptoms and consequences that can persist for decades. This makes anxiety disorders some of the most debilitating and costly disorders of our time. Although much is known about the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of fear and anxiety, research on the underlying genetics has lagged behind that of other psychiatric disorders. However, alongside the formation of the Psychiatric Genomic Consortium Anxiety workgroup, progress is rapidly advancing, offering opportunities for future research. Here we review current knowledge about the genetics of anxiety across the lifespan from genetically informative designs (i.e. twin studies and molecular genetics). We include studies of specific anxiety disorders (e.g. panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder) as well as those using dimensional measures of trait anxiety. We particularly address findings from large-scale genome-wide association studies and show how such discoveries may provide opportunities for translation into improved or new therapeutics for affected individuals. Finally, we describe how discoveries in anxiety genetics open the door to numerous new research possibilities, such as the investigation of specific gene–environment interactions and the disentangling of causal associations with related traits and disorders. We discuss how the field of anxiety genetics is expected to move forward. In addition to the obvious need for larger sample sizes in genome-wide studies, we highlight the need for studies among young people, focusing on specific underlying dimensional traits or components of anxiety.

Genetic Risk Factors of Depression

Depression ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 33-50
Author(s):  
Thorhildur Halldorsdottir ◽  
Hildur Ýr Hilmarsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Gene By Environment Interaction ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Candidate Gene Studies

Research on the genetic underpinnings of depression has rapidly advanced in the past decade. This field of research provides a promising avenue toward improving the diagnosis of, prevention of, and treatment for this devastating disorder. The goal of this chapter is to review the main genetic and gene-by-environment interaction findings on depression. We first describe family and twin studies used to empirically study the familial aggregation of depression. Second, we provide a review of the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) published to date. Building on GWAS findings, we will discuss the use of polygenic risk scores in predicting depression. We also review the most robust candidate gene studies and gene-by-environment interaction studies. Finally, we discuss the clinical implications of the findings and promising strategies for making further progress within this field.

scholarly journals Insights into Dyslexia Genetics Research from the Last Two Decades

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Florina Erbeli ◽  
Marianne Rice ◽  
Silvia Paracchini
Keyword(s):  
Language Disorder ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Genetic Risks

Dyslexia, a specific reading disability, is a common (up to 10% of children) and highly heritable (~70%) neurodevelopmental disorder. Behavioral and molecular genetic approaches are aimed towards dissecting its significant genetic component. In the proposed review, we will summarize advances in twin and molecular genetic research from the past 20 years. First, we will briefly outline the clinical and educational presentation and epidemiology of dyslexia. Next, we will summarize results from twin studies, followed by molecular genetic research (e.g., genome-wide association studies (GWASs)). In particular, we will highlight converging key insights from genetic research. (1) Dyslexia is a highly polygenic neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex genetic architecture. (2) Dyslexia categories share a large proportion of genetics with continuously distributed measures of reading skills, with shared genetic risks also seen across development. (3) Dyslexia genetic risks are shared with those implicated in many other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., developmental language disorder and dyscalculia). Finally, we will discuss the implications and future directions. As the diversity of genetic studies continues to increase through international collaborate efforts, we will highlight the challenges in advances of genetics discoveries in this field.

scholarly journals Current knowledge in hypertension genetics: mosaic theory, candidate genes and genome-wide association studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 490-500
Author(s):  
A. O. Konradi
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
High Performance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Modern Approach ◽  
Genome Wide

The article reviews monogenic forms of hypertension, data on the role of heredity of essential hypertension and candidate genes, as well as genome-wide association studies. Modern approach for the role of genetics is driven by implementation of new technologies and their productivity. High performance speed of new technologies like genome-wide association studies provide data for better knowledge of genetic markers of hypertension. The major goal nowadays for research is to reveal molecular pathways of blood pressure regulation, which can help to move from populational to individual level of understanding of pathogenesis and treatment targets.

4. What are the contributions of environments and genes to intelligence differences?

2020 ◽  
pp. 50-69
Author(s):  
Ian J. Deary
Keyword(s):  
Association Studies ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Identical Twins ◽  
New Method ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genetic Inheritance ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Shared Environments

‘What are the contributions of environments and genes to intelligence differences?’ asks whether genetic inheritance and the environments people experience affect intelligence differences. Researchers use two main resources to answer this question: twins and samples of DNA. Studies of identical and non-identical twins are used to show the contributions of genes, shared environment, and non-shared environment to people’s differences in traits. Twin studies tell us that by adulthood, about two-thirds of intelligence differences are caused by how people vary in their genetic inheritance, and that both shared and non-shared environments make significant contributions to intelligence differences. The introduction of genome-wide association studies in 2011 has provided a new method of estimating the heritability of intelligence.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Association Studies of Endometrial Cancer: Latest Developments and Future Directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 1095-1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy A. O'Mara ◽  
Dylan M. Glubb ◽  
Pik Fang Kho ◽  
Deborah J. Thompson ◽  
Amanda B. Spurdle
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Genome Wide

scholarly journals Genetics of Atrial Fibrillation in 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Roselli ◽  
Michiel Rienstra ◽  
Patrick T. Ellinor
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Rhythm Disorder

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder that leads to an increased risk for stroke and heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is a complex disease with both environmental and genetic risk factors that contribute to the arrhythmia. Over the last decade, rapid progress has been made in identifying the genetic basis for this common condition. In this review, we provide an overview of the primary types of genetic analyses performed for atrial fibrillation, including linkage studies, genome-wide association studies, and studies of rare coding variation. With these results in mind, we aim to highlighting the existing knowledge gaps and future directions for atrial fibrillation genetics research.

scholarly journals Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors in Human Disease: A Comprehensive Update

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1096
Author(s):  
Jessica Gambardella ◽  
Angela Lombardi ◽  
Marco Bruno Morelli ◽  
John Ferrara ◽  
Gaetano Santulli
Keyword(s):  
Human Disease ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Inositol 1,4,5 Trisphosphate ◽  
Human Disorders

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs) are intracellular calcium release channels located on the endoplasmic reticulum of virtually every cell. Herein, we are reporting an updated systematic summary of the current knowledge on the functional role of ITPRs in human disorders. Specifically, we are describing the involvement of its loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in the pathogenesis of neurological, immunological, cardiovascular, and neoplastic human disease. Recent results from genome-wide association studies are also discussed.

The genetics of axial spondyloarthritis

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Siebert ◽  
Sengupta Raj ◽  
Alexander Tsoukas
Keyword(s):  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Functional Importance ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Arthritogenic Peptide ◽  
Protein Response

Family and twin studies have long suggested a large genetic component in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The genetic association with HLA-B27 remains one of the strongest single gene variant associations reported in any complex polygenic disease. The exact mechanism by which HLA-B27 contributes to AS remains unknown, with three main theories proposed: the arthritogenic peptide, endoplasmic reticulum stress with unfolded protein response, and homodimerization theories. Genome-wide association studies have identified a number of other important susceptibility genes for AS, several of which overlap with other spondyloarthritis conditions. Of these, ERAP1 and IL-23R, are covered in more detail, highlighting their functional importance.

Alzheimer's disease genetics: lessons to improve disease modelling

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 910-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita J. Guerreiro ◽  
John Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ad Alzheimer’S Disease

In the present review, we look back at the recent history of GWAS (genome-wide association studies) in AD (Alzheimer's disease) and integrate the major findings with current knowledge of biological processes and pathways. These topics are essential for the development of animal models, which will be fundamental to our complete understanding of AD.

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