Quantitative genetics in the era of molecular genetics: learning abilities and disabilities as an example.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Claire M A Haworth, Robert Plomin

Abstract

To consider recent findings from quantitative genetic research in the context of molecular genetic research, especially genome-wide association studies. We focus on findings that go beyond merely estimating heritability. We use learning abilities and disabilities as examples. Recent twin research in the area of learning abilities and disabilities was reviewed. Three findings from quantitative genetic research stand out for their far-reaching implications for child and adolescent psychiatry. First, common disorders such as learning difficulties are the quantitative extreme of the same genetic factors responsible for genetic influence throughout the normal distribution (the Common Disorders are Quantitative Traits Hypothesis). Second, the same set of genes is largely responsible for genetic influence across diverse learning and cognitive abilities and disabilities (the Generalist Genes Hypothesis). Third, experiences are just as influenced genetically as are behaviors and genetic factors mediate associations between widely used measures of the environment and behavioural outcomes (the Nature of Nurture Hypothesis). Quantitative genetics can go far beyond the rudimentary "how much" question about nature versus nurture, and can con...Continue Reading

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Nov 1, 2012·Twin Research and Human Genetics : the Official Journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·Claire M A HaworthRobert Plomin
Jun 13, 2012·Molecular Psychiatry·O S P DavisR Plomin
Mar 19, 2013·Psychological Science·Robert PlominOliver S P Davis
Dec 18, 2013·Development and Psychopathology·Robert Plomin, Michael A Simpson
Sep 30, 2015·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Nicholas G Shakeshaft, Robert Plomin
Jul 21, 2010·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·James J Hudziak, Stephen V Faraone
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Feb 28, 2016·American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics : the Official Publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics·Rebecca PintoDavid Mataix-Cols
Sep 20, 2016·American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part a·Kristen WigbyNicole Tartaglia
Nov 13, 2012·Journal of Learning Disabilities·Rosemary Tannock
May 23, 2014·Psychiatric Genetics·Catherine M SteinSudha K Iyengar
Jul 1, 2018·Behavior Genetics·Michelle LucianoIan J Deary
Mar 26, 2019·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Anderson Ribeiro da SilvaHugo Cogo-Moreira
Oct 31, 2020·Journal of Experimental Child Psychology·Margaret J SnowlingCharles Hulme

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