Causal Relationships between Environmental Factors and Health Outcomes

Questions and Answers

How can one detect gene-environment correlations (rGE) using a twin study design?

By investigating if environmental measures are heritable and using them as outcomes in a twin study.

What did Rice et al. (2009) find in relation to prenatal smoking and antisocial behavior in children?

Increased antisocial behavior was found in children related to prenatal smokers, but not in unrelated children of smokers.

How can one investigate gene-environment interplay in unrelated individuals?

By looking at DNA variants associated with measures of the environment using molecular genetic designs.

What is the purpose of investigating active gene-environment correlations (rGE)?

To determine if the association between environment and behavior remains significant when controlling for genetic factors. Signup and view all the answers

How did TenEyck & Barnes (2015) contribute to the understanding of gene-environment interactions?

They showed that once genetic confounds were controlled for, the association between peer group and delinquency was no longer significant. Signup and view all the answers

What method can be used to investigate if environmental measures share genetic and environmental influences with behavior?

Multivariate twin models can be used to explore the shared influences between environmental measures and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using genetically informative designs in studying the interplay between genetic and environmental factors?

To fully understand the effects of genetic and environmental factors. Signup and view all the answers

How can overlooking genetic factors affect the interpretation of environmental influences?

It can lead to misinterpretation of putative environmental influences. Signup and view all the answers

What are some challenges associated with candidate gene association studies in molecular genetics?

Low replication rates, focusing on individual genes, and often poor methodological quality. Signup and view all the answers

Why do genome-wide gene-environment studies require very large sample sizes?

To increase statistical power and detect small effects. Signup and view all the answers

How do genetic differences between families contribute to the variation in socioeconomic status (SES)?

They account for some of the differences in SES. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the interaction between genetic and environmental factors (GxE) in different environments?

Gene-environment interaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of considering a modified delivery model for some families when investigating gene-environment interactions?

To restrict the range of possible social inputs over development. Signup and view all the answers

What genetic factor has been linked to aggression, supported by evidence from animal models like knock-out mice?

Monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental factor is particularly highlighted as a risk factor for antisocial behavior, especially when combined with genetic predispositions?

Childhood maltreatment Signup and view all the answers

What genetic factor has been studied in relation to depression, particularly focusing on a specific gene region known as 5-HTTLPR?

Serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the complex relationship between genes, environment, and their interaction, involving sophisticated statistical methods and large sample sizes?

Gene-environment interaction studies (GWEIS) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of investigating GxE interactions, what do dual gene variants refer to?

Delicate dual gene variants Signup and view all the answers