“Cellular and Molecular Impact of Elucidating Brain Disorders with Complex Genetic Architectures:
Examples from Addiction and Ability to Quit Smoking "
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
4:00 p.m.
Psychological & Brain Sciences Building
Room PY101
IUB
Abstract: “I will review evidence that common brain disorders, and the costs attributable to them, receive substantial heritable contributions. Large contributions of polygenic influences (as well as rare variants) contrast with the modest contributions from Mendelian (single gene) and oligogenic (major gene) genetic architectures. I will focus on vulnerability to develop dependence on an addictive substance and ability to quit smoking, two phenotypes that are influenced by complex genetics that we have studied using GWA in multiple samples. The substantial (and overlapping) genetic contributions to these phenotypes appear to come from polygenic variants in genes that are largely expressed in brain and likely to contribute to individual differences in its wiring, molecular biology, gene regulation and neurotransmission. I will review the challenges and opportunities provided by the vast amounts of currently available GWA data for studies that help to understand the cellular and molecular bases for brain activities and brain disorders. Translational, post GWAS studies that elucidate the ways in which such polygenic variants influence the brain and behavior provide a rich source for increasing understanding of the brain in ways that can provide direct relevance for understanding human brain disorders.”
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