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Chakraborty S, Wang MG, Wong MCS. Coupling and decoupling of ancestral linkages and current cross-border economic activities: Genetics and policy. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2024; 54:101410. [PMID: 38908266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2024.101410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
This paper studies the potential link between the biological evolution of populations and present-day economic interactions by estimating the correlation of shared ancestry among populations with cross-border capital and human flows. To this end, we employ the new concept of genetic distance, based on (dis)similarity of neutral gene alleles, to quantify shared ancestry. We then incorporate the genetic distance measure into an augmented gravity model, traditionally used to analyze the effect of geographical distance on bilateral exchange. Our analysis focuses on bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) and migration across 135 countries and we use both linear regression techniques as well as the Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood Estimator to account for any non-linearities in the model. Our results show that a 1% increase in genetic distance reduces FDI flows by 0.08% while controlling for other distance constructs and factors associated with global capital and human movement. Genetic distance also has a negative effect on migration, where a 1% increase in genetic distance reduces migration flows by 0.22%, with all other things remaining constant. Our study, therefore, links shared ancestry with economic behavior, showing how historical connections are associated with current economic exchanges among nations. Additionally, recognizing that ancestral ties are outside human control, we examine policy measures that help nations overcome such distance barriers. Our findings show that strengthening a nation's institutional quality and adherence to the rule of law can effectively mitigate any negative correlation of distance constructs with economic exchanges. These insights suggest that prudent policies to foster a stable business environment are essential for any nation to attract FDI and human capital, even from geographically or genetically distant nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suparna Chakraborty
- Department of Economics, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, 94117, CA, USA
| | - Miao Grace Wang
- Department of Economics, College of Business Administration, Marquette University, 1530 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, 53233, WI, USA
| | - M C Sunny Wong
- Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 4104 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Suite 104, Houston, 77204, TX, USA.
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2
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Morris TT, von Hinke S, Pike L, Ingram NR, Davey Smith G, Munafò MR, Davies NM. Implications of the genomic revolution for education research and policy. BRITISH EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL 2024; 50:923-943. [PMID: 38974368 PMCID: PMC11225938 DOI: 10.1002/berj.3784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Research at the intersection of social science and genomics, 'sociogenomics', is transforming our understanding of the interplay between genomics, individual outcomes and society. It has interesting and maybe unexpected implications for education research and policy. Here we review the growing sociogenomics literature and discuss its implications for educational researchers and policymakers. We cover key concepts and methods in genomic research into educational outcomes, how genomic data can be used to investigate social or environmental effects, the methodological strengths and limitations of genomic data relative to other observational social data, the role of intergenerational transmission and potential policy implications. The increasing availability of genomic data in studies can produce a wealth of new evidence for education research. This may provide opportunities for disentangling the environmental and genomic factors that influence educational outcomes and identifying potential mechanisms for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim T. Morris
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Population Health SciencesBristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolOakfield GroveBarley HouseBristolUK
| | - Stephanie von Hinke
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- School of EconomicsUniversity of BristolUK
- Erasmus School of EconomicsErasmus University RotterdamRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Lindsey Pike
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Population Health SciencesBristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolOakfield GroveBarley HouseBristolUK
| | | | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Population Health SciencesBristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolOakfield GroveBarley HouseBristolUK
| | - Marcus R. Munafò
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- School of Psychological ScienceUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Neil M. Davies
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
- Population Health SciencesBristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolOakfield GroveBarley HouseBristolUK
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic EpidemiologyDepartment of Public Health and NursingNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
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3
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Rauf T, Freese J. Genetic influences on depression and selection into adverse life experiences. Soc Sci Med 2024; 344:116633. [PMID: 38324978 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies find that a large number of genetic variants jointly influence the risk of depression, which is summarized by polygenic indices (PGIs) of depressive symptoms and major depression. But PGIs by design remain agnostic about the causal mechanisms linking genes to depression. Meanwhile, the role of adverse life experiences in shaping depression risk is well-documented, including via gene-environment correlation. Building on theoretical work on dynamic and contingent genetic selection, we suggest that genetic influences may lead to differential selection into negative life experiences, forging gene-environment correlations that manifest in various permutations of depressive behaviors and environmental adversities. We also examine the extent to which apparent genetic influences may reflect spurious associations due to factors such as indirect genetic effects. Using data from two large surveys of middle-aged and older US adults, we investigate to what extent a PGI of depression predicts the risk of 27 different adversities. Further, to glean insights about the kinds of processes that might lead to gene-environment correlation, we augment these analyses with data from an original preregistered survey to measure cultural understandings of the behavioral dependence of various adversities. We find that the PGI predicts the risk of majority of adversities, net of class background and prior depression, and that the selection risk is greater for adversities typically perceived as being dependent on peoples' own behaviors. Taken together, our findings suggest that the PGI of depression largely picks up the risk of behaviorally-influenced adversities, but to a lesser degree also captures other environmental influences. The results invite further exploration into the behavioral and interactional processes that lie along the pathways intervening between genetic differences and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamkinat Rauf
- Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
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4
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Havdahl A, Hughes AM, Sanderson E, Ask H, Cheesman R, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Andreassen OA, Corfield EC, Hannigan L, Magnus P, Njølstad PR, Stoltenberg C, Torvik FA, Brandlistuen R, Smith GD, Ystrom E, Davies NM. Intergenerational effects of parental educational attainment on parenting and childhood educational outcomes: Evidence from MoBa using within-family Mendelian randomization. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.02.22.23285699. [PMID: 36865116 PMCID: PMC9980223 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.22.23285699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The intergenerational transmission of educational attainment from parents to their children is one of the most important and studied relationships in social science. Longitudinal studies have found strong associations between parents' and their children's educational outcomes, which could be due to the effects of parents. Here we provide new evidence about whether parents' educational attainment affects their parenting behaviours and children's early educational outcomes using within-family Mendelian randomization and data from 40,879 genotyped parent-child trios from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort (MoBa) study. We found evidence suggesting that parents' educational attainment affects their children's educational outcomes from age 5 to 14. More studies are needed to provide more samples of parent-child trios and assess the potential consequences of selection bias and grandparental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Havdahl
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
- Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amanda M Hughes
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Barley House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Sanderson
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Barley House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Helga Ask
- Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rosa Cheesman
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- NORMENT Centre, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elizabeth C. Corfield
- Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laurie Hannigan
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
- Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Magnus
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål R. Njølstad
- Mohn Center for Diabetes Precision Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Camilla Stoltenberg
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fartein Ask Torvik
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Brandlistuen
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Barley House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Eivind Ystrom
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Neil M Davies
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London W1T 7NF
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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5
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Wertz J, Moffitt TE, Arseneault L, Barnes JC, Boivin M, Corcoran DL, Danese A, Hancox RJ, Harrington H, Houts RM, Langevin S, Liu H, Poulton R, Sugden K, Tanksley PT, Williams BS, Caspi A. Genetic associations with parental investment from conception to wealth inheritance in six cohorts. Nat Hum Behav 2023; 7:1388-1401. [PMID: 37386103 PMCID: PMC10444618 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01618-5] [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: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetic inheritance is not the only way parents' genes may affect children. It is also possible that parents' genes are associated with investments into children's development. We examined evidence for links between parental genetics and parental investments, from the prenatal period through to adulthood, using data from six population-based cohorts in the UK, US and New Zealand, together totalling 36,566 parents. Our findings revealed associations between parental genetics-summarized in a genome-wide polygenic score-and parental behaviour across development, from smoking in pregnancy, breastfeeding in infancy, parenting in childhood and adolescence, to leaving a wealth inheritance to adult children. Effect sizes tended to be small at any given time point, ranging from RR = 1.12 (95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.09, 1.15) to RR = 0.76 (95%CI 0.72, 0.80) during the prenatal period and infancy; β = 0.07 (95%CI 0.04, 0.11) to β = 0.29 (95%CI 0.27, 0.32) in childhood and adolescence, and RR = 1.04 (95%CI 1.01, 1.06) to RR = 1.11 (95%CI 1.07, 1.15) in adulthood. There was evidence for accumulating effects across development, ranging from β = 0.15 (95%CI 0.11, 0.18) to β = 0.23 (95%CI 0.16, 0.29) depending on cohort. Our findings are consistent with the interpretation that parents pass on advantages to offspring not only via direct genetic transmission or purely environmental paths, but also via genetic associations with parental investment from conception to wealth inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Wertz
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Louise Arseneault
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - J C Barnes
- School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Michel Boivin
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrea Danese
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National and Specialist CAMHS Clinic for Trauma, Anxiety and Depression, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Robert J Hancox
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - HonaLee Harrington
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Renate M Houts
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie Langevin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hexuan Liu
- School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Richie Poulton
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter T Tanksley
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin S Williams
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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6
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Plomin R. Celebrating a Century of Research in Behavioral Genetics. Behav Genet 2023; 53:75-84. [PMID: 36662387 PMCID: PMC9922236 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-023-10132-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A century after the first twin and adoption studies of behavior in the 1920s, this review looks back on the journey and celebrates milestones in behavioral genetic research. After a whistle-stop tour of early quantitative genetic research and the parallel journey of molecular genetics, the travelogue focuses on the last fifty years. Just as quantitative genetic discoveries were beginning to slow down in the 1990s, molecular genetics made it possible to assess DNA variation directly. From a rocky start with candidate gene association research, by 2005 the technological advance of DNA microarrays enabled genome-wide association studies, which have successfully identified some of the DNA variants that contribute to the ubiquitous heritability of behavioral traits. The ability to aggregate the effects of thousands of DNA variants in polygenic scores has created a DNA revolution in the behavioral sciences by making it possible to use DNA to predict individual differences in behavior from early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Plomin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
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7
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Cheesman R, Ayorech Z, Eilertsen EM, Ystrom E. Why we need families in genomic research on developmental psychopathology. JCPP ADVANCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Cheesman
- PROMENTA Research Center Department of Psychology University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Ziada Ayorech
- PROMENTA Research Center Department of Psychology University of Oslo Oslo Norway
| | - Espen M. Eilertsen
- PROMENTA Research Center Department of Psychology University of Oslo Oslo Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway
| | - Eivind Ystrom
- PROMENTA Research Center Department of Psychology University of Oslo Oslo Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo Norway
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8
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Gene-environment correlations and genetic confounding underlying the association between media use and mental health. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1030. [PMID: 36658215 PMCID: PMC9852440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25374-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase in online media use and mental health problems have prompted investigations into their association, although most literature is focussed on deleterious effects. We assessed the aetiology of media use and mental health associations (M age = 22.14, SD = 0.85) using twin (n = 4000 pairs) and polygenic score methods (n = 6000 unrelated individuals) in the Twins Early Development Study. Beyond the traditionally explored negative uses of online media (online victimisation and problematic internet use), we investigate general media uses such as posting online and watching videos and distinguish both positive (pro-social behaviour) and negative (anxiety, depression, peer and behaviour problems) mental health measures. Negative media use correlated with poor mental health (r = 0.11-0.32), but general media use correlated with prosocial behaviour (r = 0.20) and fewer behavioural problems (r = - 0.24). Twin analyses showed that both general and negative media use were moderately heritable (ranging from 20 to 49%) and their associations with mental health were primarily due to genetic influences (44-88%). Genetic sensitivity analysis combining polygenic scores with heritability estimates also suggest genetic confounding. Results indicate research on the mental health impact of media use should adopt genetically informed designs to strengthen causal inference.
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9
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Joseph J. A Blueprint for Genetic Determinism. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.5406/19398298.135.4.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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10
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Plomin R. The next 10 years of behavioural genomic research. JCPP ADVANCES 2022; 2:e12112. [PMID: 37431418 PMCID: PMC10242940 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The explosion caused by the fusion of quantitative genetics and molecular genetics will transform behavioural genetic research in child and adolescent psychology and psychiatry. Methods Although the fallout has not yet settled, the goal of this paper is to predict the next 10 years of research in what could be called behavioural genomics. Results I focus on three research directions: the genetic architecture of psychopathology, causal modelling of gene-environment interplay, and the use of DNA as an early warning system. Conclusion Eventually, whole-genome sequencing will be available for all newborns, which means that behavioural genomics could potentially be applied ubiquitously in research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Plomin
- King's College LondonInstitute of PsychiatryPsychology and NeuroscienceLondonUK
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11
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Barker ED, Maughan B, Allegrini A, Pingault JB, Sonuga-Barke E. Editorial: Does the polygenic revolution herald a watershed in the study of GE interplay in developmental psychopathology? Some considerations for the Special Issue reader. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:1107-1110. [PMID: 36123310 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The primary goal motivating the scientific field of Developmental Psychopathology is to discover why some individuals develop mental health and neuro-developmental difficulties while others do not. This is not simply a 'blue skies' preoccupation: the underlying hope, of course, is to translate such discoveries to the benefit of individuals, families and communities, reducing poor outcomes for those at risk and - in the best case scenario - ensuring that they thrive. A core tenet of the bio-psycho-social framework within which this field of enquiry operates is that children's difficulties are determined by the interplay of predisposing genetic risk and resilience factors and the environments and experiences to which individuals are exposed. From this perspective, understanding gene-environment (GE) interplay is a necessary condition for explaining and, as importantly predicting, why one individual is at risk while another is not. If we believe this, then the risk calculators designed to show who will and will not get a particular disorder - all the rage at the moment - are doomed to fail until they can go beyond modelling the main effects of genes and environments, and reliably estimate GE processes too. Despite significant progress, we remain a considerable way off cracking this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward D Barker
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Barbara Maughan
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Allegrini
- Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Edmund Sonuga-Barke
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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12
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Plomin R, Viding E. Commentary: Will genomics revolutionise research on gene-environment interplay? J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:1214-1218. [PMID: 36005740 PMCID: PMC9804537 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of quantitative genetics and molecular genetics is transforming research in the behavioural sciences. The ability to measure inherited DNA differences directly has led to polygenic scores and to new methods to estimate heritability and genetic correlations. This issue provides examples of how these advances can be appllied to research on gene-environment interplay in developmental psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Plomin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Essi Viding
- Division of Psychology and Language SciencesUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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13
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Plomin R, Gidziela A, Malanchini M, von Stumm S. Gene-environment interaction using polygenic scores: Do polygenic scores for psychopathology moderate predictions from environmental risk to behavior problems? Dev Psychopathol 2022; 34:1-11. [PMID: 36148872 PMCID: PMC7613991 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422000931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The DNA revolution has energized research on interactions between genes and environments (GxE) by creating indices of G (polygenic scores) that are powerful predictors of behavioral traits. Here, we test the extent to which polygenic scores for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and neuroticism moderate associations between parent reports of their children's environmental risk (E) at ages 3 and 4 and teacher ratings of behavior problems (hyperactivity/inattention, conduct problems, emotional symptoms, and peer relationship problems) at ages 7, 9 and 12. The sampling frame included up to 6687 twins from the Twins Early Development Study. Our analyses focused on relative effect sizes of G, E and GxE in predicting behavior problems. G, E and GxE predicted up to 2%, 2% and 0.4%, respectively, of the variance in externalizing behavior problems (hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems) across ages 7, 9 and 12, with no clear developmental trends. G and E predictions of emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems were weaker. A quarter (12 of 48) of our tests of GxE were nominally significant (p = .05). Increasing the predictive power of G and E would enhance the search for GxE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Plomin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s
College London, London, UK
| | - Agnieszka Gidziela
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University
of London, London, UK
| | - Margherita Malanchini
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University
of London, London, UK
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14
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This time I mean it: The nature-nurture debate is over. Behav Brain Sci 2022; 45:e177. [PMID: 36098453 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x21001771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The target article is skeptical of the heritability concept while maintaining an old-fashioned point of view about it. As a descriptive statistic, it is to be expected that heritability goes up and down in different circumstances, but the relationship between heritability coefficients and the biological processes that underlie them is difficult to specify, and may be impossible in humans.
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15
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Nicolaou N, Kilduff M. Empowerment Mitigates Gender Differences in Tertius Iungens Brokering. ORGANIZATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2022.1628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Tertius iungens brokering that brings together people who might not otherwise meet is crucial for organizational effectiveness. But we know little about whether and why women and men differ in their propensity to engage in this brokering. Our paper focuses on the origins and mitigation of gender differences in the propensity to bring people together. In study 1, we showed that the Totterdell et al. [Totterdell P, Holman D, Hukin A (2008) Social networkers: Measuring and examining individual differences in propensity to connect with others. Soc. Networks 30(4):283–296] propensity-to-join-others scale that we used in study 2 and the Obstfeld [Obstfeld D (2005) Social networks, the tertius iungens orientation, and involvement in innovation. Admin. Sci. Quart. 50(1):100–130] tertius iungens scale overlapped not only conceptually, but also empirically, and that these measures of tertius iungens were distinct from mediation- and separation-brokering propensities [Grosser TJ, Obstfeld D, Labianca G, Borgatti SP (2019) Measuring mediation and separation brokerage orientations: A further step toward studying the social network brokerage process. Acad. Management Discoveries 5(2):114–136]. In study 2, we used a natural experiment to examine the tertius iungens brokering propensities of 876 identical and 625 fraternal same-sex twins. We found that brokering propensity was lower for women than for men, although the propensity toward sociability in terms of making friends and acquaintances was lower for men. We also found that for women, relative to men, tertius iungens brokering propensity was largely affected by environmental influences, such as the experience of stereotyping and discrimination, rather than representing an inherited disposition. Moreover, the differences between men and women with respect to brokering were mitigated for empowered samples, such as well-educated or entrepreneurial individuals. Our research asks new questions about how environmental pressures and empowerment affect social networking. Gender differences in brokering may be amenable to mitigation through empowering practices that include education and entrepreneurial experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicos Nicolaou
- Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Kilduff
- UCL School of Management, University College London, London E14 5AA, United Kingdom
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16
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Starr A, Riemann R. Common genetic and environmental effects on cognitive ability, conscientiousness, self-perceived abilities, and school performance. INTELLIGENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2022.101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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17
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Simulated nonlinear genetic and environmental dynamics of complex traits. Dev Psychopathol 2022; 35:662-677. [PMID: 35236532 PMCID: PMC9440154 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421001796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Genetic studies of complex traits often show disparities in estimated heritability depending on the method used, whether by genomic associations or twin and family studies. We present a simulation of individual genomes with dynamic environmental conditions to consider how linear and nonlinear effects, gene-by-environment interactions, and gene-by-environment correlations may work together to govern the long-term development of complex traits and affect estimates of heritability from common methods. Our simulation studies demonstrate that the genetic effects estimated by genome wide association studies in unrelated individuals are inadequate to characterize gene-by-environment interaction, while including related individuals in genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) allows gene-by-environment interactions to be recovered in the heritability. These theoretical findings provide an explanation for the "missing heritability" problem and bridge the conceptual gap between the most common findings of GCTA and twin studies. Future studies may use the simulation model to test hypotheses about phenotypic complexity either in an exploratory way or by replicating well-established observations of specific phenotypes.
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18
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Toward a biological basis of the FFM Meta-traits: Associations between the Fisher Type Indicator (FTI) temperament construct and the hierarchical Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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19
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Abstract
During the past decade, polygenic scores have become a fast-growing area of research in the behavioural sciences. The ability to directly assess people's genetic propensities has transformed research by making it possible to add genetic predictors of traits to any study. The value of polygenic scores in the behavioural sciences rests on using inherited DNA differences to predict, from birth, common disorders and complex traits in unrelated individuals in the population. This predictive power of polygenic scores does not require knowing anything about the processes that lie between genes and behaviour. It also does not mandate disentangling the extent to which the prediction is due to assortative mating, genotype-environment correlation, or even population stratification. Although bottom-up explanation from genes to brain to behaviour will remain the long-term goal of the behavioural sciences, prediction is also a worthy achievement because it has immediate practical utility for identifying individuals at risk and is the necessary first step towards explanation. A high priority for research must be to increase the predictive power of polygenic scores to be able to use them as an early warning system to prevent problems.
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Abstract
Causation has multiple distinct meanings in genetics. One reason for this is meaning slippage between two concepts of the gene: Mendelian and molecular. Another reason is that a variety of genetic methods address different kinds of causal relationships. Some genetic studies address causes of traits in individuals, which can only be assessed when single genes follow predictable inheritance patterns that reliably cause a trait. A second sense concerns the causes of trait differences within a population. Whereas some single genes can be said to cause population-level differences, most often these claims concern the effects of many genes. Polygenic traits can be understood using heritability estimates, which estimate the relative influences of genetic and environmental differences to trait differences within a population. Attempts to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying polygenic traits have been developed, although causal inference based on these results remains controversial. Genetic variation has also recently been leveraged as a randomizing factor to identify environmental causes of trait differences. This technique-Mendelian randomization-offers some solutions to traditional epidemiological challenges, although it is limited to the study of environments with known genetic influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Lynch
- Department of Philosophy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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21
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D'Onofrio BM, Sjölander A, Lahey BB, Lichtenstein P, Öberg AS. Accounting for Confounding in Observational Studies. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2021; 16:25-48. [PMID: 32384000 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this review is to enable clinical psychology researchers to more rigorously test competing hypotheses when studying risk factors in observational studies. We argue that there is a critical need for researchers to leverage recent advances in epidemiology/biostatistics related to causal inference and to use innovative approaches to address a key limitation of observational research: the need to account for confounding. We first review theoretical issues related to the study of causation, how causal diagrams can facilitate the identification and testing of competing hypotheses, and the current limitations of observational research in the field. We then describe two broad approaches that help account for confounding: analytic approaches that account for measured traits and designs that account for unmeasured factors. We provide descriptions of several such approaches and highlight their strengths and limitations, particularly as they relate to the etiology and treatment of behavioral health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M D'Onofrio
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA; .,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; , ,
| | - Arvid Sjölander
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; , ,
| | - Benjamin B Lahey
- Departments of Health Studies and Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA;
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; , ,
| | - A Sara Öberg
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; , , .,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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22
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Taylor MJ. The need for genetically‐informative designs in developmental science: Commentary on Gustavson et al. (2021) and Myers et al. (2021). JCPP ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. Taylor
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
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Willoughby EA, McGue M, Iacono WG, Rustichini A, Lee JJ. The role of parental genotype in predicting offspring years of education: evidence for genetic nurture. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3896-3904. [PMID: 31444472 PMCID: PMC7061492 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0494-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Similarities between parent and offspring are widespread in psychology; however, shared genetic variants often confound causal inference for offspring outcomes. A polygenic score (PGS) derived from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can be used to test for the presence of parental influence that controls for genetic variants shared across generations. We use a PGS for educational attainment (EA3; N ≈ 750 thousand) to predict offspring years of education in a sample of 2517 twins and both parents. We find that within families, the dizygotic twin with the higher PGS is more likely to attain higher education (unstandardized β = 0.32; p < 0.001). Additionally, however, we find an effect of parental genotype on offspring outcome that is independent of the offspring's own genotype; this raises the variance explained in offspring years of education from 9.3 to 11.1% (∆R2 = 0.018, p < 0.001). Controlling for parental IQ or socioeconomic status substantially attenuated or eliminated this effect of parental genotype. These findings suggest a role of environmental factors affected by heritable characteristics of the parents in fostering offspring years of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Willoughby
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Matt McGue
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - William G. Iacono
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Aldo Rustichini
- Department of Economics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1925 Fourth Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - James J. Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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24
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Guez A, Peyre H, Williams C, Labouret G, Ramus F. The epidemiology of cognitive development. Cognition 2021; 213:104690. [PMID: 33931198 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiology of cognitive development is an approach essentially based on large observational studies, which examines individual differences in cognitive abilities throughout childhood and their determinants. Although different in terms of methodology and main interests from developmental psychology, cognitive epidemiology offers complementary viewpoints on cognitive development and addresses fundamental research questions of interest to developmental psychologists. The present paper depicts the contributions of the epidemiological approach to the field of cognitive development and highlights the methodological advances that have made such contributions possible. We discuss the stability and developmental trajectories of cognitive functions, their main predictors, the complex interplay between environmental and genetic predictors, and the relationships between the different domains of cognition from birth to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Guez
- Laboratoire de sciences cognitives et psycholinguistique, ENS, EHESS, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France.
| | - Hugo Peyre
- Laboratoire de sciences cognitives et psycholinguistique, ENS, EHESS, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France; Neurodiderot. INSERM UMR 1141, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, France
| | - Camille Williams
- Laboratoire de sciences cognitives et psycholinguistique, ENS, EHESS, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Ghislaine Labouret
- Laboratoire de sciences cognitives et psycholinguistique, ENS, EHESS, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Franck Ramus
- Laboratoire de sciences cognitives et psycholinguistique, ENS, EHESS, PSL University, CNRS, Paris, France.
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25
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Bailey JM. It is Time to Stress Test the Minority Stress Model. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:739-740. [PMID: 33534042 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-01912-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Bailey
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
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26
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Berg V, Kuja-Halkola R, D'Onofrio BM, Lichtenstein P, Latvala A. Parental substance misuse and reproductive timing in offspring: A genetically informed study. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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27
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Hart SA, Little C, van Bergen E. Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2021; 6:2. [PMID: 33420086 PMCID: PMC7794571 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-020-00079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Across a wide range of studies, researchers often conclude that the home environment and children's outcomes are causally linked. In contrast, behavioral genetic studies show that parents influence their children by providing them with both environment and genes, meaning the environment that parents provide should not be considered in the absence of genetic influences, because that can lead to erroneous conclusions on causation. This article seeks to provide behavioral scientists with a synopsis of numerous methods to estimate the direct effect of the environment, controlling for the potential of genetic confounding. Ideally, using genetically sensitive designs can fully disentangle this genetic confound, but these require specialized samples. In the near future, researchers will likely have access to measured DNA variants (summarized in a polygenic scores), which could serve as a partial genetic control, but that is currently not an option that is ideal or widely available. We also propose a work around for when genetically sensitive data are not readily available: the Familial Control Method. In this method, one measures the same trait in the parents as the child, and the parents' trait is then used as a covariate (e.g., a genetic proxy). When these options are all not possible, we plead with our colleagues to clearly mention genetic confound as a limitation, and to be cautious with any environmental causal statements which could lead to unnecessary parent blaming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A Hart
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
- Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
| | - Callie Little
- Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Elsje van Bergen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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28
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Lensvelt‐Mulders G, Hettema J. Analysis of genetic influences on the consistency and variability of the Big Five across different stressful situations. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/per.414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated that individual differences in personality traits, known as the Big Five, have a genetic component. These personality traits are considered important predictors of everyday behaviour. In addition to personality traits there are also factors in the environment that govern behaviour. This dual influence on behaviour is statistically reflected in a P × S interaction. This study examines the genetic and environmental influences on the interactions between a person and his daily life environment for the Big Five. Fifty‐seven identical twin pairs and 43 fraternal twin pairs participated in this study. Trait related behaviour was measured in 30 different situations with the aid of an SR inventory. The heritability coefficients for the main effect of P were in the normal range, varying between 0.35 for Agreeableness and 0.53 for Conscientiousness. The heritability coefficients for the P × S interactions were moderately high, explaining between 26% and 69% of the total P × S variance. The consequences of these results for general and behavioural genetic research on the Big Five will be discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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29
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Hicks BM, Johnson W, Iacono WG, McGue M. Moderating Effects of Personality on the Genetic and Environmental Influences of School Grades Helps to Explain Sex Differences in Scholastic Achievement. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2020; 22:247-268. [PMID: 20228967 DOI: 10.1002/per.671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Girls consistently achieve higher grades than boys despite scoring lower on major standardized tests and not having higher IQs. Sex differences in non-cognitive variables such as personality might help to account for sex differences in grades. Utilizing a large sample of 17 year-old twins participating in the Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS), we examined the roles of Achievement Striving, Self-Control, and Aggression on sex differences in grade point average (GPA). Each personality trait was a significant predictor of GPA, with sex differences in Aggression accounting for one-half the sex difference in GPA and genetic variance accounting for most of the overlap between personality and GPA. Achievement Striving and Self-Control moderated the genetic and environmental influences on GPA. Specifically, for girls but not boys, higher Achievement Striving and Self-Control were associated with less variability in GPA and greater genetic and environmental overlap with GPA. For girls, certain personality traits operate to shape a context yielding uniformly higher GPA, a process that seems absent in boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Hicks
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
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30
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Barlow FK. Nature vs. nurture is nonsense: On the necessity of an integrated genetic, social, developmental, and personality psychology. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ajpy.12240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Kate Barlow
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia,
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31
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Allegrini AG, Karhunen V, Coleman JRI, Selzam S, Rimfeld K, von Stumm S, Pingault JB, Plomin R. Multivariable G-E interplay in the prediction of educational achievement. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009153. [PMID: 33201880 PMCID: PMC7721131 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Polygenic scores are increasingly powerful predictors of educational achievement. It is unclear, however, how sets of polygenic scores, which partly capture environmental effects, perform jointly with sets of environmental measures, which are themselves heritable, in prediction models of educational achievement. Here, for the first time, we systematically investigate gene-environment correlation (rGE) and interaction (GxE) in the joint analysis of multiple genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) and multiple environmental measures as they predict tested educational achievement (EA). We predict EA in a representative sample of 7,026 16-year-olds, with 20 GPS for psychiatric, cognitive and anthropometric traits, and 13 environments (including life events, home environment, and SES) measured earlier in life. Environmental and GPS predictors were modelled, separately and jointly, in penalized regression models with out-of-sample comparisons of prediction accuracy, considering the implications that their interplay had on model performance. Jointly modelling multiple GPS and environmental factors significantly improved prediction of EA, with cognitive-related GPS adding unique independent information beyond SES, home environment and life events. We found evidence for rGE underlying variation in EA (rGE = .38; 95% CIs = .30, .45). We estimated that 40% (95% CIs = 31%, 50%) of the polygenic scores effects on EA were mediated by environmental effects, and in turn that 18% (95% CIs = 12%, 25%) of environmental effects were accounted for by the polygenic model, indicating genetic confounding. Lastly, we did not find evidence that GxE effects significantly contributed to multivariable prediction. Our multivariable polygenic and environmental prediction model suggests widespread rGE and unsystematic GxE contributions to EA in adolescence. Our study investigates the complex interplay between genetic and environmental contributions underlying educational achievement (EA). Polygenic scores are becoming increasingly powerful predictors of EA. While emerging evidence indicates that polygenic scores are not pure measures of genetic predisposition, previous quantitative genetics findings indicate that measures of the environment are themselves heritable. In this regard it is unclear how such measures of individual predisposition jointly combine to predict EA. We investigate this question in a representative UK sample of 7,026 16-year-olds where we provide substantive results on gene-environment correlation and interaction underlying variation in EA. We show that polygenic score and environmental prediction models of EA overlap substantially. Polygenic scores effects on EA are partly accounted for by their correlation with environmental effects; similarly, environmental effects on EA are linked to polygenic scores effects. Nonetheless, jointly considering polygenic scores and measured environments significantly improves prediction of EA. We also find that, although correlation between polygenic scores and measured environments is substantial, interactions between them do not play a significant role in the prediction of EA. Our findings have relevance for genomic and environmental prediction models alike, as they show the way in which individuals’ genetic predispositions and environmental effects are intertwined. This suggests that both genetic and environmental effects must be taken into account in prediction models of complex behavioral traits such as EA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G. Allegrini
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Ville Karhunen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R. I. Coleman
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Saskia Selzam
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaili Rimfeld
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jean-Baptiste Pingault
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Plomin
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom
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32
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de Zeeuw EL, Hottenga JJ, Ouwens KG, Dolan CV, Ehli EA, Davies GE, Boomsma DI, van Bergen E. Intergenerational Transmission of Education and ADHD: Effects of Parental Genotypes. Behav Genet 2020; 50:221-232. [PMID: 32026073 PMCID: PMC7355279 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-020-09992-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It remains a challenge to determine whether children resemble their parents due to nature, nurture, or a mixture of both. Here we used a design that exploits the distinction between transmitted and non-transmitted alleles in genetic transmission from parent to offspring. Two separate polygenic scores (PGS) were calculated on the basis of the transmitted and non-transmitted alleles. The effect of the non-transmitted PGS is necessarily mediated by parental phenotypes, insofar as they contribute to the rearing environment of the offspring (genetic nurturing). We calculated transmitted and non-transmitted PGSs associated with adult educational attainment (EA) and PGSs associated with childhood ADHD in a general population sample of trios, i.e. child or adult offspring and their parents (N = 1120-2518). We tested if the EA and ADHD (non-)transmitted PGSs were associated with childhood academic achievement and ADHD in offspring. Based on the earlier findings for shared environment, we hypothesized to find genetic nurturing for academic achievement, but not for ADHD. In adults, both transmitted (R2 = 7.6%) and non-transmitted (R2 = 1.7%) EA PGSs were associated with offspring EA, evidencing genetic nurturing. In children around age 12, academic achievement was associated with the transmitted EA PGSs (R2 = 5.7%), but we found no support for genetic nurturing (R2 ~ 0.1%). The ADHD PGSs were not significantly associated with academic achievement (R2 ~ 0.6%). ADHD symptoms in children were only associated with transmitted EA PGSs and ADHD PGSs (R2 = 1-2%). Based on these results, we conclude that the associations between parent characteristics and offspring outcomes in childhood are mainly to be attributable to the effects of genes that are shared by parents and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline L de Zeeuw
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Jouke-Jan Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Klaasjan G Ouwens
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Conor V Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik A Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Gareth E Davies
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elsje van Bergen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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33
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Davies NM, Howe LJ, Brumpton B, Havdahl A, Evans DM, Davey Smith G. Within family Mendelian randomization studies. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:R170-R179. [PMID: 31647093 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mendelian randomization (MR) is increasingly used to make causal inferences in a wide range of fields, from drug development to etiologic studies. Causal inference in MR is possible because of the process of genetic inheritance from parents to offspring. Specifically, at gamete formation and conception, meiosis ensures random allocation to the offspring of one allele from each parent at each locus, and these are unrelated to most of the other inherited genetic variants. To date, most MR studies have used data from unrelated individuals. These studies assume that genotypes are independent of the environment across a sample of unrelated individuals, conditional on covariates. Here we describe potential sources of bias, such as transmission ratio distortion, selection bias, population stratification, dynastic effects and assortative mating that can induce spurious or biased SNP-phenotype associations. We explain how studies of related individuals such as sibling pairs or parent-offspring trios can be used to overcome some of these sources of bias, to provide potentially more reliable evidence regarding causal processes. The increasing availability of data from related individuals in large cohort studies presents an opportunity to both overcome some of these biases and also to evaluate familial environmental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil M Davies
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Barley House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Laurence J Howe
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Barley House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Brumpton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom.,K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Clinic of Thoracic and Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom.,Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - David M Evans
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom.,University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4102, Australia
| | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Barley House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, United Kingdom
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Malanchini M, Rimfeld K, Allegrini AG, Ritchie SJ, Plomin R. Cognitive ability and education: How behavioural genetic research has advanced our knowledge and understanding of their association. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 111:229-245. [PMID: 31968216 PMCID: PMC8048133 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive ability and educational success predict positive outcomes across the lifespan, from higher earnings to better health and longevity. The shared positive outcomes associated with cognitive ability and education are emblematic of the strong interconnections between them. Part of the observed associations between cognitive ability and education, as well as their links with wealth, morbidity and mortality, are rooted in genetic variation. The current review evaluates the contribution of decades of behavioural genetic research to our knowledge and understanding of the biological and environmental basis of the association between cognitive ability and education. The evidence reviewed points to a strong genetic basis in their association, observed from middle childhood to old age, which is amplified by environmental experiences. In addition, the strong stability and heritability of educational success are not driven entirely by cognitive ability. This highlights the contribution of other educationally relevant noncognitive characteristics. Considering both cognitive and noncognitive skills as well as their biological and environmental underpinnings will be fundamental in moving towards a comprehensive, evidence-based model of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Malanchini
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom; Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, United States.
| | - Kaili Rimfeld
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea G Allegrini
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J Ritchie
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Plomin
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
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35
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Picardi A, Giuliani E, Gigantesco A. Genes and environment in attachment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 112:254-269. [PMID: 32014527 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the last two decades, there has been increasing research interest in disentangling the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to individual differences in attachment, and in identifying the genes involved in shaping attachment. Twin studies suggest that as attachment changes during the course of development, genetic factors may play a progressively more important role, while shared environmental effects might decrease. However, most of this literature is limited by low power, measurement issues, and cross-sectional design. The findings of molecular genetic studies are, overall, inconclusive. The literature on main genetic effects and gene-by-environment interactions on attachment is filled with inconsistent and unreplicated findings. Also, most studies are underpowered. Challenges for future research are to identify the unshared environmental mechanisms involved in shaping attachment, and to better elucidate the genes involved and their interaction with the environment. Some pioneer studies suggested that the incorporation of epigenetic processes into G × E interaction models might represent a promising future way for investigating the complex, dynamic interplay between genes, environment, and attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Picardi
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Eugenia Giuliani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena, 291-293, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Gigantesco
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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36
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Simonet DV, Castille CM. The search for meaningful work: A network analysis of personality and the job characteristics model. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.109569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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37
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Syme KL, Hagen EH. Mental health is biological health: Why tackling "diseases of the mind" is an imperative for biological anthropology in the 21st century. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2019; 171 Suppl 70:87-117. [PMID: 31762015 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The germ theory of disease and the attendant public health initiatives, including sanitation, vaccination, and antibiotic treatment, led to dramatic increases in global life expectancy. As the prevalence of infectious disease declines, mental disorders are emerging as major contributors to the global burden of disease. Scientists understand little about the etiology of mental disorders, however, and many of the most popular psychopharmacological treatments, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, have only moderate-to-weak efficacy in treating symptoms and fail to target biological systems that correspond to discrete psychiatric syndromes. Consequently, despite dramatic increases in the treatment of some mental disorders, there has been no decrease in the prevalence of most mental disorders since accurate record keeping began. Many researchers and theorists are therefore endeavoring to rethink psychiatry from the ground-up. Anthropology, especially biological anthropology, can offer critical theoretical and empirical insights to combat mental illness globally. Biological anthropologists are unique in that we take a panhuman approach to human health and behavior and are trained to address each of Tinbergen's four levels of analysis as well as culture. The field is thus exceptionally well-situated to help resolve the mysteries of mental illness by integrating biological, evolutionary, and sociocultural perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen L Syme
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Vancouver, Washington
| | - Edward H Hagen
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Vancouver, Washington
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38
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Wertz J, Moffitt TE, Agnew-Blais J, Arseneault L, Belsky DW, Corcoran DL, Houts R, Matthews T, Prinz JA, Richmond-Rakerd LS, Sugden K, Williams B, Caspi A. Using DNA From Mothers and Children to Study Parental Investment in Children's Educational Attainment. Child Dev 2019; 91:1745-1761. [PMID: 31657015 PMCID: PMC7183873 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This study tested implications of new genetic discoveries for understanding the association between parental investment and children’s educational attainment. A novel design matched genetic data from 860 British mothers and their children with home‐visit measures of parenting: the E‐Risk Study. Three findings emerged. First, both mothers’ and children’s education‐associated genetics, summarized in a genome‐wide polygenic score, were associated with parenting—a gene–environment correlation. Second, accounting for genetic influences slightly reduced associations between parenting and children’s attainment—indicating some genetic confounding. Third, mothers’ genetics were associated with children’s attainment over and above children's own genetics, via cognitively stimulating parenting—an environmentally mediated effect. Findings imply that, when interpreting parents’ effects on children, environmentalists must consider genetic transmission, but geneticists must also consider environmental transmission.
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Abstract
Using data from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, we examined whether European ancestry predicted cognitive ability over and above both parental socioeconomic status (SES) and measures of eye, hair, and skin color. First, using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, we verified that strict factorial invariance held between self-identified African and European-Americans. The differences between these groups, which were equivalent to 14.72 IQ points, were primarily (75.59%) due to difference in general cognitive ability (g), consistent with Spearman’s hypothesis. We found a relationship between European admixture and g. This relationship existed in samples of (a) self-identified monoracial African-Americans (B = 0.78, n = 2,179), (b) monoracial African and biracial African-European-Americans, with controls added for self-identified biracial status (B = 0.85, n = 2407), and (c) combined European, African-European, and African-American participants, with controls for self-identified race/ethnicity (B = 0.75, N = 7,273). Controlling for parental SES modestly attenuated these relationships whereas controlling for measures of skin, hair, and eye color did not. Next, we validated four sets of polygenic scores for educational attainment (eduPGS). MTAG, the multi-trait analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS) eduPGS (based on 8442 overlapping variants) predicted g in both the monoracial African-American (r = 0.111, n = 2179, p < 0.001), and the European-American (r = 0.227, n = 4914, p < 0.001) subsamples. We also found large race differences for the means of eduPGS (d = 1.89). Using the ancestry-adjusted association between MTAG eduPGS and g from the monoracial African-American sample as an estimate of the transracially unbiased validity of eduPGS (B = 0.124), the results suggest that as much as 20%–25% of the race difference in g can be naïvely explained by known cognitive ability-related variants. Moreover, path analysis showed that the eduPGS substantially mediated associations between cognitive ability and European ancestry in the African-American sample. Subtest differences, together with the effects of both ancestry and eduPGS, had near-identity with subtest g-loadings. This finding confirmed a Jensen effect acting on ancestry-related differences. Finally, we confirmed measurement invariance along the full range of European ancestry in the combined sample using local structural equation modeling. Results converge on genetics as a potential partial explanation for group mean differences in intelligence.
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40
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O'Connor TG, Miller RK, Salafia C. Placental Studies for Child Development. CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES 2019; 13:193-198. [PMID: 31413725 DOI: 10.1111/cdep.12338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Research on children's psychological and behavioral development readily incorporates changing biological models and techniques. In this article, we suggest that, in response to increasing evidence of robust influences of prenatal exposures on children's neurodevelopment and mental and physical health, developmental science also needs to consider the placenta's role in development. We argue why placental mechanisms are plausible targets in developmental science, and suggest initial and practical steps toward integrating placenta markers and mechanisms into research on child development.
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41
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Allegrini AG, Selzam S, Rimfeld K, von Stumm S, Pingault JB, Plomin R. Genomic prediction of cognitive traits in childhood and adolescence. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:819-827. [PMID: 30971729 PMCID: PMC6986352 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0394-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in genomics are producing powerful DNA predictors of complex traits, especially cognitive abilities. Here, we leveraged summary statistics from the most recent genome-wide association studies of intelligence and educational attainment, with highly genetically correlated traits, to build prediction models of general cognitive ability and educational achievement. To this end, we compared the performances of multi-trait genomic and polygenic scoring methods. In a representative UK sample of 7,026 children at ages 12 and 16, we show that we can now predict up to 11% of the variance in intelligence and 16% in educational achievement. We also show that predictive power increases from age 12 to age 16 and that genomic predictions do not differ for girls and boys. We found that multi-trait genomic methods were effective in boosting predictive power. Prediction accuracy varied across polygenic score approaches, however results were similar for different multi-trait and polygenic score methods. We discuss general caveats of multi-trait methods and polygenic score prediction, and conclude that polygenic scores for educational attainment and intelligence are currently the most powerful predictors in the behavioural sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Allegrini
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - S Selzam
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - K Rimfeld
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - S von Stumm
- Department of Education, University of York, Heslington, York, UK
| | - J B Pingault
- Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Plomin
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
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42
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The Problem of Non-Shared Environment in Behavioral Genetics. Behav Genet 2019; 49:259-269. [DOI: 10.1007/s10519-019-09950-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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43
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Developing individual differences in primate behavior: the role of genes, environment, and their interplay. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2633-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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44
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Smith-Woolley E, Ayorech Z, Dale PS, von Stumm S, Plomin R. The genetics of university success. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14579. [PMID: 30337657 PMCID: PMC6194053 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32621-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
University success, which includes enrolment in and achievement at university, as well as quality of the university, have all been linked to later earnings, health and wellbeing. However, little is known about the causes and correlates of differences in university-level outcomes. Capitalizing on both quantitative and molecular genetic data, we perform the first genetically sensitive investigation of university success with a UK-representative sample of 3,000 genotyped individuals and 3,000 twin pairs. Twin analyses indicate substantial additive genetic influence on university entrance exam achievement (57%), university enrolment (51%), university quality (57%) and university achievement (46%). We find that environmental effects tend to be non-shared, although the shared environment is substantial for university enrolment. Furthermore, using multivariate twin analysis, we show moderate to high genetic correlations between university success variables (0.27-0.76). Analyses using DNA alone also support genetic influence on university success. Indeed, a genome-wide polygenic score, derived from a 2016 genome-wide association study of years of education, predicts up to 5% of the variance in each university success variable. These findings suggest young adults select and modify their educational experiences in part based on their genetic propensities and highlight the potential for DNA-based predictions of real-world outcomes, which will continue to increase in predictive power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Smith-Woolley
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Ziada Ayorech
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Philip S Dale
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, NM, USA
| | - Sophie von Stumm
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, 3rd Floor, Queens House, 55/56 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ, UK
| | - Robert Plomin
- King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, SE5 8AF, UK
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45
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Trejo S, Belsky DW, Boardman JD, Freese J, Harris KM, Herd P, Sicinski K, Domingue BW. Schools as Moderators of Genetic Associations with Life Course Attainments: Evidence from the WLS and Add Health. SOCIOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2018; 5:513-540. [PMID: 30613760 PMCID: PMC6314676 DOI: 10.15195/v5.a22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Genetic variants identified in genome-wide association studies of educational attainment have been linked with a range of positive life course development outcomes. However, it remains unclear whether school environments may moderate these genetic associations. We analyze data from two biosocial surveys that contain both genetic data and follow students from secondary school through mid- to late life. We test if the magnitudes of the associations with educational and occupational attainments varied across the secondary schools that participants attended or with characteristics of those schools. Although we find little evidence that genetic associations with educational and occupational attainment varied across schools or with school characteristics, genetic associations with any postsecondary education and college completion were moderated by school-level socioeconomic status. Along similar lines, we observe substantial between-school variation in the average level of educational attainment students achieved for a fixed genotype. These findings emphasize the importance of social context in the interpretation of genetic associations. Specifically, our results suggest that though existing measures of individual genetic endowment have a linear relationship with years of schooling that is relatively consistent across school environments, school context is crucial in connecting an individual's genotype to his or her likelihood of crossing meaningful educational thresholds.
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46
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47
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Hannigan LJ, Rijsdijk FV, Ganiban JM, Reiss D, Spotts EL, Neiderhiser JM, Lichtenstein P, McAdams TA, Eley TC. Shared genetic influences do not explain the association between parent-offspring relationship quality and offspring internalizing problems: results from a Children-of-Twins study. Psychol Med 2018; 48:592-603. [PMID: 28745264 PMCID: PMC5964471 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291717001908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between parenting and child outcomes are often interpreted as reflecting causal, social influences. However, such associations may be confounded by genes common to children and their biological parents. To the extent that these shared genes influence behaviours in both generations, a passive genetic mechanism may explain links between them. Here we aim to quantify the relative importance of passive genetic v. social mechanisms in the intergenerational association between parent-offspring relationship quality and offspring internalizing problems in adolescence. METHODS We used a Children-of-Twins (CoT) design with data from the parent-based Twin and Offspring Study of Sweden (TOSS) sample [909 adult twin pairs and their offspring; offspring mean age 15.75 (2.42) years], and the child-based Swedish Twin Study of CHild and Adolescent Development (TCHAD) sample [1120 adolescent twin pairs; mean age 13.67 (0.47) years]. A composite of parent-report measures (closeness, conflict, disagreements, expressions of affection) indexed parent-offspring relationship quality in TOSS, and offspring self-reported internalizing symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) in both samples. RESULTS A social transmission mechanism explained the intergenerational association [r = 0.21 (0.16-0.25)] in our best-fitting model. A passive genetic transmission pathway was not found to be significant, indicating that parental genetic influences on parent-offspring relationship quality and offspring genetic influences on their internalizing problems were non-overlapping. CONCLUSION These results indicate that this intergenerational association is a product of social interactions between children and parents, within which bidirectional effects are highly plausible. Results from genetically informative studies of parenting-related effects should be used to help refine early parenting interventions aimed at reducing risk for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. J. Hannigan
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - F. V. Rijsdijk
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - J. M. Ganiban
- Department of Psychology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - D. Reiss
- Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - E. L. Spotts
- Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J. M. Neiderhiser
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - P. Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T. A. McAdams
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - T. C. Eley
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
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48
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Abstract
Intelligence - the ability to learn, reason and solve problems - is at the forefront of behavioural genetic research. Intelligence is highly heritable and predicts important educational, occupational and health outcomes better than any other trait. Recent genome-wide association studies have successfully identified inherited genome sequence differences that account for 20% of the 50% heritability of intelligence. These findings open new avenues for research into the causes and consequences of intelligence using genome-wide polygenic scores that aggregate the effects of thousands of genetic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Plomin
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Sophie von Stumm
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, Queens House, 55-56 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LJ, UK
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49
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Abstract
SummaryResearch has established that genetic differences among people explain a greater or smaller proportion of the variation in life outcomes in different environmental conditions. This review evaluates the results of recent educationally relevant behavioural genetic studies and meta-analyses in the context of recent trends in income and wealth distribution. The pattern of results suggests that inequality and social policies can have profound effects on the heritability of educational attainment and achievement in a population (Gene–Gini interplay). For example, heritability is generally higher at greater equality levels, suggesting that inequality stifles the expression of educationally relevant genetic propensities. The review concludes with a discussion of the mechanisms of Gene–Gini interplay and what the findings mean for efforts to optimize education for all people.
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50
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Widespread covariation of early environmental exposures and trait-associated polygenic variation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:11727-11732. [PMID: 29078306 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707178114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although gene-environment correlation is recognized and investigated by family studies and recently by SNP-heritability studies, the possibility that genetic effects on traits capture environmental risk factors or protective factors has been neglected by polygenic prediction models. We investigated covariation between trait-associated polygenic variation identified by genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and specific environmental exposures, controlling for overall genetic relatedness using a genomic relatedness matrix restricted maximum-likelihood model. In a UK-representative sample (n = 6,710), we find widespread covariation between offspring trait-associated polygenic variation and parental behavior and characteristics relevant to children's developmental outcomes-independently of population stratification. For instance, offspring genetic risk for schizophrenia was associated with paternal age (R2 = 0.002; P = 1e-04), and offspring education-associated variation was associated with variance in breastfeeding (R2 = 0.021; P = 7e-30), maternal smoking during pregnancy (R2 = 0.008; P = 5e-13), parental smacking (R2 = 0.01; P = 4e-15), household income (R2 = 0.032; P = 1e-22), watching television (R2 = 0.034; P = 5e-47), and maternal education (R2 = 0.065; P = 3e-96). Education-associated polygenic variation also captured covariation between environmental exposures and children's inattention/hyperactivity, conduct problems, and educational achievement. The finding that genetic variation identified by trait GWASs partially captures environmental risk factors or protective factors has direct implications for risk prediction models and the interpretation of GWAS findings.
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