The Dynamic Genome and Mental Health The Role of Genes and Environments in Youth Development

While it is widely accepted that we are products of our genes and environment, misconceptions about the power of genes to control our destiny continue to dominate our discourse. This volume contains the latest theories and evidence supporting the highly dynamic inter-relation between genes and environments as they influence the development, mental health, and substance use of adolescents. Written by researchers who are leading the way toward this new understanding, this text provides overviews and analysis of this emerging field. The chapters discuss the latest approaches to gene-environment relations, including gene-environment interaction, gene-environment correlation, epigenetics, and environmental regulation of gene expression. The application of these concepts to the prevention of adolescent mental health conditions, such as drug use, conduct disorder, depression, and schizophrenia, is included. Controversies in the implications of these approaches are also discussed. The chapters are written in accessible language and will relevant to anyone interested in the mental health and development of adolescents, including researchers and practitioners in behavioral, social and medical fields. A final chapter by the editors assesses the implications of these new approaches for future mental health research and policy.

Kenneth S. Kendler, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Human and Molecular Genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University and Director of the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics

Sarah Jaffee, PhD, is a Developmental Psychopathologist at Kings College, London

Daniel Romer, PhD, is Dan Romer is director of the Adolescent Communication Institute (ACI) of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania

Contents
Contributors

Part I: Overviews of Research on Gene-Environment Interplay
1. A Conceptual Overview of Gene-Environment Interaction and Correlation in a Developmental Context
Kenneth S. Kendler
2. Gene-Environment Interactions
Rudolf Uher
3. Improving Environmental Markers in Gene-Environment Research: Insights from Life Course Sociology
Michael J. Shanahan and Shawn Bauldry
4. Genotype-Environment Correlations: Definitions, Methods of Measurement, and Implications for Research on Adolescent Psychopathology
Sara Jaffee
5. The Social Dynamics of the Expression of Genes for Cognitive Ability
William T. Dickens, Eric Turkheimer, and Christopher Beam
6. Family Relationship Influences on Development: What Can We Learn from Genetic Research?
Briana Horwitz, Kristine Marceau, and Jenae M. Neiderhiser
7. Epigenetic Effects on Gene Function and their Role in Mediating Gene-Environment Interactions
Jonathan Mill
8. Integrating Knowledge of Genetic and Environmental Pathways to Complete the Developmental Map
M. Maria Glymour, Wim Velling, and Ezra Susser
9. Socio-Environmental Effects on Gene Expression
Steve W. Cole

Part II: Dynamics of Genes and Environments in Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions: Anxiety and Depression
10. The Interplay between Genes and Environment in Anxiety and Depression
Thalia C. Eley
11. Adolescence and Risk for Anxiety and Depression: Insights from Human Imaging to Mouse Genetics
BJ Casey, Erika Ruberry, and Victoria Libby
12. Genetic and Environmental Predictors of Depression
Francheska Perepletchikova and Joan Kaufman

Substance Use and Other Externalizing Behaviors
13. Genes, Environment, and Adolescent Smoking: Implications for Prevention
Janet Audrain-McGovern and Kenneth P. Tercyak
14. The Dynamic Nature of Genetic and Environmental Influences on Alcohol Use and Dependence
Danielle M. Dick
15. The Importance of Understanding Gene-Environment Correlations in the Development of Antisocial Behavior
Brian M. D'Onofrio, Paul J. Rathouz, and Benjamin B. Lahey
16. Peer group deviance, conduct disorder and alcohol intake
Kenneth S. Kendler

Schizophrenia and Stress
17. Stress Hormones, Genes, and Neuronal Signaling In Adolescence: The Perfect Storm for Vulnerability to Psychosis
Elaine F. Walker, Hanan D. Trotman, Joy Brasfield, Michelle Esterberg, and Molly Larsen
18. The Role of Stress and its Interaction with Genetic Predisposition in Schizophrenia
Valeria Mondelli, Marta Di Forti, Carmine M. Pariante, and Robin M. Murray

Part III: Implications for the Future
19. Conclusions and Implications for the Future
Kenneth S. Kendler, Sara Jaffee, and Daniel Romer