Articles tagged with Behavior Genetics
A study of over 105,000 light and heavy social drinkers found a variation in the β-Klotho gene associated with decreased desire for alcohol. The less frequent variant is seen in approximately 40% of participants and is linked to a reduced risk of excessive drinking.
Researchers have identified a small neural circuit in male fruit flies that controls the complex mating ritual, with specific groups of cells controlling distinct steps. The findings suggest a mechanism for separating sex from reproductive function and provide insight into universal principles of nervous system coordination.
Researchers at German Resilience Center found that corticotrophs rapidly influence avoidance behavior after stress onset, contradicting previous slow effects of hormones. This breakthrough suggests new treatments for acute stress-induced reactions and alleviating conditions.
Researchers used fruit flies to investigate the genetic and neural bases of detecting painful or harmful cold stimuli. The study found that cold-sensing neurons activate specific aversive behaviors and are linked to a gene implicated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Researchers at Rockefeller University used Caenorhabditis elegans worms to study the impact of genetic variations on social behavior. They found that certain genetic variants affect sensitivity to pheromones, leading to changes in foraging strategies, and suggest a link between population density and behavioral adaptations.
Researchers have identified 12 specific DNA areas that influence the age at first birth and total number of children. The study, led by the University of Oxford, analyzed data from over 238,000 men and women to discover genetic variants linked to reproductive behavior.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a genetic risk factor for binge eating, linked to decreased myelination. The findings could lead to novel therapeutic treatments targeting eating behaviors.
Researchers at Duke University found that male mice carrying a genetic mutation known to affect human speech struggle with sequencing phonemes into words. The study used new statistical tools to analyze the structure of ultrasonic mouse songs, revealing a similar impact on sequence complexity as seen in humans.
Researchers found that mutations in the NF1 gene contribute to autistic behaviors in nearly half of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. The study provides insights into the genetic roots of autism and may lead to better treatments for children with NF1 and autism.
Researchers identify two distinct genetic markers, Rspo2 and Ppp1r1b, corresponding to negative and positive neurons in the basolateral amygdala of mice. These neurons regulate behaviors tied to negative and positive stimuli, respectively.
A study at Northwestern University found that genetic variants affect how people metabolize caffeine, impacting their coffee consumption habits. The research also discovered a link between caffeine metabolism and nicotine metabolism, with potential implications for precision medicine.
A study using genetically altered female mice found that a mutation in the histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) gene causes feeding and behavior abnormalities similar to those seen in patients with eating disorders. The research also identified a biological pathway associated with the risk of developing an eating disorder, which could lead to...
The Fonni's Dog genome study sheds light on the history of Sardinia's fiercely protective canine breed, tracing its development through unregulated selection for behavior. The research also highlights the potential of isolated dog breeds as a powerful resource for finding genes that influence health and behavior.
Scientists from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology have identified a key enzyme in regulating our appetite, revealing how low glucose levels activate AMPK to control food intake. This breakthrough provides new insights into the complex mechanisms governing our eating behavior.
A University of California, Davis, study published in PLOS Genetics has identified a genetic component contributing to mosquitoes' host choice between humans and animals. Researchers sequenced the genomes of mosquitoes fed on humans and cattle, finding a chromosomal rearrangement called the 3Ra inversion linked to cattle feeding.
Scientists have identified the GLAST gene as a potential protector against tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing in the ears. The study found that mice with normal GLAST function were less prone to developing tinnitus when exposed to toxic substances.
A recent Field Museum study using comparative genomic analysis has challenged the long-standing Red Queen Theory by revealing that mutualistic ant species evolve at a higher rate than their non-mutualistic counterparts. This discovery suggests that these species face an additional selective pressure due to their symbiotic relationships.
Scientists have discovered how ALS-linked protein mutations affect TDP-43's normal function, causing it to aggregate and lead to disease. The study found that specific regions of the protein play a crucial role in its concentration and processing.
Animal models can help researchers understand genetic and environmental factors contributing to human diseases, which could inform precision medicine approaches. The large amounts of data generated by these models can be used to develop more targeted therapies, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
Researchers created a neurodevelopmental model of Williams syndrome to study the underlying neurobiology of the human social brain. The study found that WS individuals have reduced cortex surface area and unique neuronal morphology, which may underlie their hyper-social predisposition.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital identified approximately 12 genes associated with fear and aggression in dogs, distinct from those found in humans. The study has potential implications for veterinary behavioral medicine and human anxiety disorders.
The NIDA grant will fund a new center combining behavioral neuroscientists, computational biologists, and geneticists to study addiction mechanisms. Researchers will analyze mouse populations with high genetic variation to identify predisposing traits, correlating them with human genomes.
Scientists discovered over 930 genetic differences in rats with an abuse disorder, pointing to regulatory regions influencing memory and reward behavior. These findings strengthen our understanding of the genetic basis of alcoholism and may lead to future treatments.
The article explores the link between reward deficiency syndrome, dopamine dysregulation, and amino-acid therapy. Research suggests that individuals with certain gene variants may benefit from neuronutrient-amino-acid therapy to prevent addictive behaviors.
Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered a genetic mutation in C. elegans that led to prioritization of adult survival over reproduction, revealing insights into life history trade-offs and their regulation. The study's findings have implications for understanding human genetics, particularly the NURF-1 gene involved in reproduction.
Researchers at UC Davis used DREADDs technology to temporarily turn off the amygdala, a key region for emotions, and found changes in activity across the entire brain. This study suggests that altered brain connectivity may be used to determine pathology sites in complex disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
A team of international researchers found that altruism is favored by random fluctuations in nature, proposing a simple answer to the longstanding puzzle as to why cooperation evolved. This discovery suggests that cooperators benefit more than they lose out due to random decreases in cheating populations.
A recent study published in Science found that early farming populations had deep genetic differences, indicating distinct ancestries. The research identified similarities between Neolithic farmer's DNA and living people from southern Asia, suggesting a federal origin of farming.
Researchers at York University and CAMH discovered a new link between the OXTR gene and binge eating behaviors. The study found that specific genetic variations contribute to overeating habits, suggesting oxytocin plays a role in regulating behavior.
A large international research team identified common genetic variants as the biggest culprits behind type 2 diabetes, with novel East Asian-specific variant PAX4 also found. The study's findings provide a more complete picture of the disease's genetics and hold promise for precision medicine.
Scientists have successfully erased unpleasant memories in mice by switching off a single gene. The study reveals that deactivating neuroplastin, a key player in brain plasticity, impairs learning and memory processes. This breakthrough has potential implications for treating memory disorders such as dementia and schizophrenia.
Researchers create innovative framework to examine social behavior in various species, shedding light on the role of genetic polymorphism in shaping individual traits. The study reveals that inherited genetic tendencies can accurately predict social relationships and behaviors.
Researchers discovered a cluster of hypothalamic cells that respond only to male smells, driving intruder mice to explore their surroundings. These cells play a crucial role in regulating social behavior, similar to the human brain, and may hold the key to understanding disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers found that trauma-related behavioral alterations are reversible in mice and that epigenetic dysregulation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene can be corrected by low-stress environments. This finding has implications for the transmission of characteristics caused by the environment, such as metabolic disorders.
A study published in PNAS found that high-altitude Himalayan populations have a remarkably stable genetic make-up despite cultural transitions and outside population exposure. The analysis suggests that these populations originated from East Asia, with genetic stability maintaining across millennia.
A study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles researchers sheds light on the development of appetite regulation in Prader-Willi syndrome. The study found that a gene responsible for PWS, Magel2, affects axonal growth, leading to lifelong metabolic dysregulation.
A study found that isolated Cape honeybees in South Africa reproduce asexually, with female workers laying eggs fertilized by their own DNA. This unique behavior is linked to genetic differences at several genes, enabling social parasitism and population survival.
Research finds that practice explains only 18% of why athletes perform better or worse, with 82% attributed to other factors like genetics and cognitive traits. Starting age also holds little advantage, as higher-skilled athletes often start at the same age as less-skilled ones.
Research found that genetic links with educational attainment predict outcomes beyond schooling completion, including career success, financial management, and social mobility. Higher polygenic scores were associated with increased socioeconomic success, regardless of birth family conditions.
A study by North Carolina State University researchers reveals that zebrafish bred for boldness display sleeker bodies and faster swimming abilities compared to those bred for shyness. The findings suggest a link between personality traits, body shape, and locomotion, challenging the idea of independent animal traits.
Brandeis scientists have developed a method to genetically identify and manipulate individual cell types in the mouse brain, revealing over 150 distinct brain cell types. This breakthrough enables researchers to activate or deactivate specific genes to study their function without affecting other cells.
Researchers have identified brain cells in fruit flies that regulate sleep drive, which becomes more active when flies are kept awake. These findings may offer insights into human sleep disorders and potential new strategies to promote long-lasting sleep for those with chronic insomnia.
A digital health intervention using email and text messages aimed at improving diet and physical activity had no effect on reducing heart attack risk among a South Asian population. The study found that knowledge of genetic risk was not a motivator for behavior change.
UC San Diego scientists create innovative imaging system to study brain activity in free-moving fruit flies, providing first glimpse into neural processes underlying mating, learning, memory, and more. The 'Flyception' technique enables real-time monitoring of brain activity at unprecedented speed and precision.
Researchers identified a specific gene, KALRN, linked to impulsive behavior and binge drinking in teenagers. The study used a two-step approach to investigate genetic factors contributing to early experimentation with and abuse of alcohol.
A study on the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus found that genetic links between traits favoring one sex may explain same-sex sexual behavior (SSB), with increased SSB linked to improved reproductive performance in siblings of the opposite sex.
Researchers at the University of Sussex discovered a genetic link between impulsivity and teenage binge-drinking, identifying a specific gene variant called KALRN. This finding may help understand why some young people struggle with controlling their urges for risky behavior like binge drinking.
Researchers have identified a metabolic pathway in the fruitfly model of fragile X syndrome that can be targeted by new and already approved drugs to treat cognitive deficits. Select expression of a human gene in specific cells restored normal day/night activity patterns and rescued memory problems.
Researchers from Scripps Translational Science Institute discovered a higher-than-normal presence of genetic variants offering protection from cognitive decline in the 'Wellderly' study. These variants were found to be associated with long-term cognitive health and protection from chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Researchers found three genetic variants associated with subjective wellbeing, two with depressive symptoms, and 11 with neuroticism. The study suggests that these traits are influenced by the same set of genes and may be studied jointly in future work.
Mutations in the RERE gene can cause developmental problems typical of 1p36 deletion syndrome, a relatively common cause of intellectual disability. The study identified 10 patients with RERE mutations, who exhibited similar medical conditions to those with 1p36 deletions.
Researchers discover a 'green beard' system in fungi to decide on compatibility and actively seek out favorable cells. This mechanism is necessary and sufficient to determine 'self' identity, enabling cooperation between non-genealogical relatives.
A new study by Giorgi Chaladze uses a computational model to explain the persistence of male homosexuality throughout history and cultures. The research suggests that many heterosexual men carry genes predisposing them to homosexuality, which helps maintain its stability within populations.
New research reveals that stressful events result in DNA de-methylation, leading to the suppression of gene expression and facilitating adaptive behavioral responses. The study also found a link between SAM, a compound produced by the liver, and stress-related responses in the brain.
A new study found that public understanding of genetics can reduce stereotypes on homosexuality and gay marriage by making same-sex relationships less stigmatized. The researchers discovered that attributing homosexuality to genetics leads to more favorable stereotypic judgments about homosexuals.
A Northwestern University study shows that engaging environment can alleviate depression in genetically depressed rats, suggesting that nurture can override nature. The study found that psychotherapy and behavioral activation therapy can change blood biomarkers for depression, potentially leading to more precise treatment.
Researchers found that flies exhibit anxiety-like behaviors in response to heat stress, solitary confinement, and Valium treatment. The study identifies several new genes related to anxiety behavior in flies, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of anxiety.
New research suggests genetic risk underlying autism spectrum disorders affects a range of behavioral and developmental traits across the population. Those diagnosed with ASD represent a severe presentation of these traits, which also occur in unaffected individuals.
A study by Drexel University researchers found that surface-going cave crickets show a higher degree of genetic isolation than their cave-dwelling cousins. The crickets' ability to disperse and breed with other populations was previously thought to lead to less genetic variation, but the study's findings suggest otherwise. This has imp...
Researchers develop mouse model of Jacobsen syndrome, a rare inherited disease that affects social behavior and brain function. The study finds that the anti-anxiety drug clonazepam reduces autistic features in mice, suggesting potential for new therapies.