NEU 365W Lecture 20: Medications & Treatments
Document Summary
Addiction is a complex disease: monogenic disease. Variant in single gene is the primary determinant responsible for most of the risk or trait variation, with possible minor contributions of modifier genes or environment. Ex: huntington"s disease & cystic fibrosis: complex disease (auds and addictions, many variants of small effect and genes that contribute to disease risk or trait variation, along with many environmental factors. Genetic and environmental risk factors for addiction: environmental. Make it easier to model in animal models if you know the causative agent (early life) stress. Societal views of drugs and alcohol: drug availability. Strong genetic component for risk of developing addiction. Twin & adoption studies: 30-80% genetic depending on the study. Aud - ~50: gwas, genetically modified or selectively bred rodents. Gene expression determines cell expression (development: genes turned on (expressed) determines type, structure & function, gene expression is tightly regulated.
