The Genetics of Human Behavior

Behavioral disorders arise from environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Past studies have shown evidence for the hereditability of several major behavioral neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder. In these cases, certain defects are passed down parental generations increase an offspring’s risk inheriting a specific While disease susceptibility cannot be attributed solely to genetics, it is important study how one’s makeup can affect various facets human behavior. Uncovering this link between genes behavior could lead discovery new biological factors involved in development highly prevalent neurological responses disorders.
 A recent genetics has that there may basis irrational phobias. It highlights possibility phobias form inherited defense mechanism through familial genes. study, researchers Dias Ressler Emory School Medicine subjected mice fear conditioning by exposing them scent chemical acetophenone, which smells like cherry blossoms, before administering electric shocks mice. Offspring (which were not exposed same their parents) showed fearful odor even when smelling first time. This demonstrated they had acquired phobia odor.
 Structural abnormalities also discovered olfactory bulbs offspring Upon sequencing mice’s sperm DNA, found gene encoding M71, odo receptor activated was methylated conditioned direct generations. However, unknown whether epigenetic alteration DNA responsible heightened sensitivity. possible different mechanisms worked conjunction translate ancestral experiences offspring.
 Other some less heritable—or weaker component—than others. For example, while account more than half schizophrenia or disorder, anxiety depression appear lower. According Dr. Pine at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, approximately 30-50% genetic, other 50% 70% environmental factors, substance use, stress, diet, childhood experiences.
 Anxiety most common mental illness U.S., affecting 18% total population. Depression common, with around 10% Americans experiencing depressive disorder point lives. Despite high prevalence, disposition weak compared disorders. As scientists, we must determine why case. Is due difference number defects? variations linked heritable diseases? Or depression/anxiety evolutionally conserved? Only answering questions get firm understanding root conditions develop ways prevent fight 
 We examine themselves. Perhaps, relatively low heritability, only minimally disrupt pathways brain. would wise non-genetic trigger response. addition, psychodynamic treatment approach – alleviating patient’s tension help psychiatrist—may helpful invasive medical procedures. On hand, personalized medicine, therapy, best option treating significantly inheritable schizophrenia. Through advancements testing, doctors able conduct pre-symptomatic diagnostic tests see patients family history Tests detect abnormalities, include missing heavily altered sections gene, inactive lost, RNA samples patients. test excessive single indicating overexpressed body. Identifying fixing problematic sequences code requires extensive knowledge genome. Physicians providing medicine take into targeted illness.
 research, slowly beginning unravel many Understanding role responses, phobias, crucial designing effective treatments tailored who suffering conditions. Specifically, identifying markers associated diseases, analyze inheritance responsiveness existing treatment. will make powerful impact on community future medicine.