Genes Environment And Alzheimer S Disease

Genes, Environment and Alzheimer's Disease discusses the role that activities such as exercise can play in cardiovascular health, while also highlighting the fact that the last 10 years have brought great discoveries in the strong environmental component of brain disorders, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. It is now clear that brain insult is an environmental risk factor for AD, while on the other hand, lifestyle components such as exercise and level of education may play a protective role, delaying the onset and/or severity of the disease. Evidence from experiments in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease contributes major insight into the molecular mechanisms by which the environment plays its role in AD. Additionally, there are diseases related to lifestyle that may lead to AD. This volume reviews new discoveries related to all these factors, serving as a translational tool for clinicians and researchers interested in genetic and environmental risk factors for the disease. Provides the first volume to link genetic and environmental risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia Aids researchers and clinicians in understanding the basic mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline Brings the basic science and clinical perspectives together in a single volume, facilitating translational possibilities Includes a range of molecular to behavioral components assembled into a single volume that creates an excellent resource for basic and clinical neuroscientists

The etiology of Alzheimer's disease is multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors. APOE [epislon]4 has been identified as the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's. Recent genome-wide association studies have also identified many non-APOE genetic variants that significantly contribute to Alzheimer's risk. Since these non-APOE variants typically have small effects, researchers often prefer to use a polygenic risk score to create a more robust predictor by combining the effects of these variants. However, the roles of APOE and non-APOE polygenic risk score in the disease's etiology, particularly during the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's, and whether different environmental exposures throughout life can modify the predisposed risk from APOE and non-APOE polygenic risk score, remain largely unknown. In this study, leveraging two longitudinal studies, we comprehensively evaluate how APOE, non-APOE polygenic risk score, and various environmental factors throughout life individually and jointly affect an individual's risk of Alzheimer's. We found that the effect of non-APOE polygenic risk score is particularly strong among APOE [epislon]4 carriers. Additionally, we observed that maintaining healthier lifestyles in mid-to-late life, or having an advantaged childhood socioeconomic status, can mitigate the adverse genetic effects of non-APOE polygenic risk score on later-life cognitive decline, especially among APOE [epislon]4 carriers. The findings from this research can serve as a foundation for future clinical trials and provide evidence for policymakers in designing effective policy interventions to address health disparities in Alzheimer's.

Why do people age differently? Research in the field of gerontology has indicated that there are large individual differences in personality, cognitive functioning, physical health, and psychological well-being, as well as in the quality of life in the later years. It is this variability and the reasons why people age differently that this book explores. Thoughtfully written, Aging presents an overview of what is known about genetic and environmental influences on aging. Beginning with an overview of family, adoption, and twin designs, author Cindy S. Bergeman examines such topics as the research in the area of longevity and health, cognitive functioning, personality, and psychopathology; and social support, life events, and measures of the family environment. The book concludes with a summary of the field of gerontological behavioral genetics. This book will stimulate discussion and future work about the origins of individual differences in later life and will be invaluable to professionals and practitioners in the fields of developmental psychology, psychology, aging, family studies, and nursing.

Compelling essays on understanding the interplay of genes in society.

Along with psychopathology, cognition has been one of the primary phenotypic focal points of the field of behavior genetics since its inception. Francis Galton’s 1874 examination of eminent families in Britain was among the earliest attempts to investigate whether cognitive achievements run in families. This volume presents current methodologies for understanding cognitive abilities that move beyond the outdated nature vs. nurture paradigm. Recent advances in both collection and statistical modeling of twin data, particularly longitudinal twin data, make this an especially advantageous moment to produce a work that presents a collection of the groundbreaking research on cognitive abilities across the lifespan. This volume presents an overview of the current state of quantitative and molecular genetic investigations into the many facets of cognitive performance and functioning across the lifespan.​

New Horizons in Health discusses how the National Institutes of Health (NIH) can integrate research in the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences to better understand the causes of disease as well as interventions that promote health. It outlines a set of research priorities for consideration by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), with particular attention to research that can support and complement the work of the National Institutes of Health. By addressing the range of interactions among social settings, behavioral patterns, and important health concerns, it highlights areas of scientific opportunity where significant investment is most likely to improve nationalâ€"and globalâ€"health outcomes. These opportunities will apply the knowledge and methods of the behavioral and social sciences to contemporary health needs, and give attention to the chief health concerns of the general public.

Behavior genetics has traditionally involved the partitioning of variance in behavior into latent sources of genetic and environmental influence. Results of that technique proved pivotal in raising awareness of the importance of genes at a time when environmental theories of behavior dominated. With widespread recognition that both genetic and environmental influences are important in the development of virtually all behavior, the new challenge is to move beyond latent sources of variance and to specify the genes and environments involved. This thesis has incorporated strategies from quantitative and molecular genetics to specify genes and environments involved in alcohol use and abuse, and to assess how these genes and environments act and interact. Using data from population-based, Finnish twin studies, a series of quantitative genetic analyses consecutively explore the influence of different environmental variables: socio-regional environment, home environment, and peer influences. Each of these environmental variables also illustrates a different way that the environment can interact with genetic factors. Socio-regional factors moderate influences on alcohol use, with the importance of genetic and environmental influences varying more than fivefold between environmental extremes. Parental monitoring and home atmosphere contribute additively to adolescent behavior problems, while peers' alcohol use exhibits a more complex, interactive relationship with self-reported adolescent alcohol use. A final chapter explores molecular analyses aimed at specifying genes involved in an alcohol-related phenotype. Thus, in a series of consecutive chapters, this dissertation explores (1) environments involved in alcohol use and abuse, (2) the manner in which these environments act and interact with genetic predispositions, and (3) genes involved in alcohol use and abuse.

Second Edition features the latest tools for uncovering the genetic basis of human disease The Second Edition of this landmark publication brings together a team of leading experts in the field to thoroughly update the publication. Readers will discover the tremendous advances made in human genetics in the seven years that have elapsed since the First Edition. Once again, the editors have assembled a comprehensive introduction to the strategies, designs, and methods of analysis for the discovery of genes in common and genetically complex traits. The growing social, legal, and ethical issues surrounding the field are thoroughly examined as well. Rather than focusing on technical details or particular methodologies, the editors take a broader approach that emphasizes concepts and experimental design. Readers familiar with the First Edition will find new and cutting-edge material incorporated into the text: Updated presentations of bioinformatics, multiple comparisons, sample size requirements, parametric linkage analysis, case-control and family-based approaches, and genomic screening New methods for analysis of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions A completely rewritten and updated chapter on determining genetic components of disease New chapters covering molecular genomic approaches such as microarray and SAGE analyses using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and cDNA expression data, as well as quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping The editors, two of the world's leading genetic epidemiologists, have ensured that each chapter adheres to a consistent and high standard. Each one includes all-new discussion questions and practical examples. Chapter summaries highlight key points, and a list of references for each chapter opens the door to further investigation of specific topics. Molecular biologists, human geneticists, genetic epidemiologists, and clinical and pharmaceutical researchers will find the Second Edition a helpful guide to understanding the genetic basis of human disease, with its new tools for detecting risk factors and discovering treatment strategies.