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Zellers S, van Dongen J, Maes HHM, Ollikainen M, Fang F, Vrieze S, Kaprio J, Boomsma DI. A Bivariate Twin Study of Lifetime cannabis Initiation and Lifetime Regular Tobacco Smoking Across Three Different Countries. Behav Genet 2024; 54:375-385. [PMID: 39078541 PMCID: PMC11371858 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-024-10190-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Regular cigarette smoking and cannabis consumption are strongly positively related to each other, yet few studies explore their underlying variation and covariation. We evaluated the genetic and environmental decomposition of variance and covariance of these two traits in twin data from three countries with different social norms and legislation. Data from the Netherlands Twin Register, FinnTwin12/16, and the Minnesota Center for Twin Family Research (total N = 21,617) were analyzed in bivariate threshold models of lifetime regular smoking initiation (RSI) and lifetime cannabis initiation (CI). We ran unstratified models and models stratified by sex and country. Prevalence of RSI was lowest in the Netherlands and prevalence of CI was highest in Minnesota. In the unstratified model, genetic (A) and common environmental factors (C) contributed substantially to the liabilities of RSI (A = 0.47, C = 0.34) and CI (A = 0.28, C = 0.51). The two liabilities were significantly phenotypically (rP = 0.56), genetically (rA = 0.74), and environmentally correlated in the unstratified model (rC = 0.47and rE = 0.48, representing correlations between common and unique environmental factors). The magnitude of phenotypic correlation between liabilities varied by country but not sex (Minnesota rP ~ 0.70, Netherlands rP ~ 0.59, Finland rP ~ 0.45). Comparisons of decomposed correlations could not be reliably tested in the stratified models. The prevalence and association of RSI and CI vary by sex and country. These two behaviors are correlated because there is genetic and environmental overlap between their underlying latent liabilities. There is heterogeneity in the genetic architecture of these traits across country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Zellers
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
| | - Jenny van Dongen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hermine H M Maes
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Psychiatry and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Miina Ollikainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fang Fang
- GenOmics and Translational Research Center, Research Triangle Institute International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Scott Vrieze
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Miller AP, Bogdan R, Agrawal A, Hatoum AS. Generalized genetic liability to substance use disorders. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e172881. [PMID: 38828723 PMCID: PMC11142744 DOI: 10.1172/jci172881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Lifetime and temporal co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUDs) is common and compared with individual SUDs is characterized by greater severity, additional psychiatric comorbidities, and worse outcomes. Here, we review evidence for the role of generalized genetic liability to various SUDs. Coaggregation of SUDs has familial contributions, with twin studies suggesting a strong contribution of additive genetic influences undergirding use disorders for a variety of substances (including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and others). GWAS have documented similarly large genetic correlations between alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use disorders. Extending these findings, recent studies have identified multiple genomic loci that contribute to common risk for these SUDs and problematic tobacco use, implicating dopaminergic regulatory and neuronal development mechanisms in the pathophysiology of generalized SUD genetic liability, with certain signals demonstrating cross-species and translational validity. Overlap with genetic signals for other externalizing behaviors, while substantial, does not explain the entirety of the generalized genetic signal for SUD. Polygenic scores (PGS) derived from the generalized genetic liability to SUDs outperform PGS for individual SUDs in prediction of serious mental health and medical comorbidities. Going forward, it will be important to further elucidate the etiology of generalized SUD genetic liability by incorporating additional SUDs, evaluating clinical presentation across the lifespan, and increasing the granularity of investigation (e.g., specific transdiagnostic criteria) to ultimately improve the nosology, prevention, and treatment of SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan Bogdan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Alexander S. Hatoum
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Stephenson M, Barr P, Thomas N, Cooke M, Latvala A, Rose RJ, Kaprio J, Dick D, Salvatore JE. Patterns and predictors of alcohol misuse trajectories from adolescence through early midlife. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38465371 PMCID: PMC11387953 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
We took a multilevel developmental contextual approach and characterized trajectories of alcohol misuse from adolescence through early midlife, examined genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in those trajectories, and identified adolescent and young adult factors associated with change in alcohol misuse. Data were from two longitudinal population-based studies. FinnTwin16 is a study of Finnish twins assessed at 16, 17, 18, 25, and 35 years (N = 5659; 52% female; 32% monozygotic). The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) is a study of adolescents from the United States, who were assessed at five time points from 1994 to 2018 (N = 18026; 50% female; 64% White, 21% Black, 4% Native American, 7% Asian, 9% Other race/ethnicity). Alcohol misuse was measured as frequency of intoxication in FinnTwin16 and frequency of binge drinking in Add Health. In both samples, trajectories of alcohol misuse were best described by a quadratic growth curve: Alcohol misuse increased across adolescence, peaked in young adulthood, and declined into early midlife. Individual differences in these trajectories were primarily explained by environmental factors. Several adolescent and young adult correlates were related to the course of alcohol misuse, including other substance use, physical and mental health, and parenthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory Stephenson
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Peter Barr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Nathaniel Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Megan Cooke
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Antti Latvala
- Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Richard J Rose
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Department of Public Health, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Danielle Dick
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jessica E Salvatore
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Zellers SM, Ross JM, Saunders GRB, Ellingson JM, Walvig T, Anderson JE, Corley RP, Iacono W, Hewitt JK, Hopfer CJ, McGue MK, Vrieze S. Recreational cannabis legalization has had limited effects on a wide range of adult psychiatric and psychosocial outcomes. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1-10. [PMID: 36601811 PMCID: PMC10319916 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causal impacts of recreational cannabis legalization are not well understood due to the number of potential confounds. We sought to quantify possible causal effects of recreational cannabis legalization on substance use, substance use disorder, and psychosocial functioning, and whether vulnerable individuals are more susceptible to the effects of cannabis legalization than others. METHODS We used a longitudinal, co-twin control design in 4043 twins (N = 240 pairs discordant on residence), first assessed in adolescence and now age 24-49, currently residing in states with different cannabis policies (40% resided in a recreationally legal state). We tested the effect of legalization on outcomes of interest and whether legalization interacts with established vulnerability factors (age, sex, or externalizing psychopathology). RESULTS In the co-twin control design accounting for earlier cannabis frequency and alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms respectively, the twin living in a recreational state used cannabis on average more often (βw = 0.11, p = 1.3 × 10-3), and had fewer AUD symptoms (βw = -0.11, p = 6.7 × 10-3) than their co-twin living in an non-recreational state. Cannabis legalization was associated with no other adverse outcome in the co-twin design, including cannabis use disorder. No risk factor significantly interacted with legalization status to predict any outcome. CONCLUSIONS Recreational legalization was associated with increased cannabis use and decreased AUD symptoms but was not associated with other maladaptations. These effects were maintained within twin pairs discordant for residence. Moreover, vulnerabilities to cannabis use were not exacerbated by the legal cannabis environment. Future research may investigate causal links between cannabis consumption and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Zellers
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - J. Megan Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Jarrod M. Ellingson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Tasha Walvig
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jacob E. Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robin P. Corley
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - William Iacono
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - John K. Hewitt
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Christian J. Hopfer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Matt K. McGue
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Scott Vrieze
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Önder MS. Substance Initiation Tendency Scale (SITS): Validity and Reliability Study. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:578-584. [PMID: 36762469 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2177971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Background: The purpose of the present study was to make a new contribution to the literature by developing a scale to detect the substance initiation tendencies of young people and adolescents and to create a leading tool for preventive policies to be implemented against substance use. Method: An 8-item and 2-factor measurement tool called the "Substance Initiation Tendency Scale" was created. The data obtained from 470 students studying in 5 high schools in the Genç County of Bingöl, Turkey, were subjected to reliability and validity tests. In this context, Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), item analysis, and halving methods were used along with the SPSS 24 and AMOS 24 data analysis programs. Results: It was found that the Kaiser-Meyer Olkin (KMO) value was "excellent" with .909 and the Bartlett Sphericity Test was significant, and the scale, which could explain 57.332% of the total variance, had the feature of distinguishing what was intended to be measured. The values obtained from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a "good fit". Conclusion: It was understood that the obtained data were sufficient to confirm the construct's validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Seyman Önder
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Art And Sciences, Bingol University, Bingol, Türkiye
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Saunders GRB, McGue M, Iacono WG, Vrieze S. Longitudinal effects and environmental moderation of ALDH2 and ADH1B gene variants on substance use from age 14 to 40. Dev Psychopathol 2022; 34:1-9. [PMID: 36102130 PMCID: PMC10011021 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422000712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use and dependence are strongly affected by variation in aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) and, to a lesser extent, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B) genes. We use this genetic variation with an adoption design to test the causal role of alcohol use on other drug use, as well as the moderating role of adoptive parent, sibling, and peer alcohol use. Longitudinal models were run on 412 genotyped adopted individuals of East Asian ancestry with multiple assessments between ages 14 and 40. We found robust associations between alcohol frequency, quantity, and maximum drinks and ALDH2, but not ADH1B, status. The magnitude of the ALDH2 protective effect increased with age, particularly for maximum drinks, though estimates were smaller than previously reported in ancestrally similar individuals in East/North-East Asian countries. These results suggest that sociocultural factors in Minnesota may reduce the protective effects of ALDH2. We found that peer alcohol use, but not parent or sibling use, predicted adopted offspring's use, and that these environmental influences did not vary by ALDH2 status. Finally, we did not find strong evidence of associations between ALDH2 status and tobacco, marijuana, or illegal drug use, contrary to expectation if alcohol serves as a gateway to use of other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matt McGue
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN55455, USA
| | - William G Iacono
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN55455, USA
| | - Scott Vrieze
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN55455, USA
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