CHICAGO—Contrary to a previous report, an analysis of 14 previous studies does not find an association between a serotonin transporter gene variation, stressful life events, and an increased risk of major depression, according to an article in the June 17 issue of JAMA. The authors did find that the number of stressful life events is [...]
A study in the January issue of Developmental Psychology examined the long-term effect of prenatal exposure to tobacco. This project was unique in that the researchers also considered the expression of genes affecting the dopamine (a neurotransmitter) system in the brain.
The researchers asked preschoolers to complete a task that required “executive control;” the executive functions [...]
Brain tumours are the second most common type of childhood cancer. Pilocytic astrocytomas affect around 145 children each year in the UK. Lead author Professor Peter Collins, based at the University of Cambridge, said: “This is the first time a specific genetic link has been made to the majority of pilocytic astrocytomas. What has occured [...]
A new study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggesting a genetic link to monogamy and marital satisfaction. Researchers found that men with 2 copies of the allele responsible for the distribution of vasopressin receptors in the brain were twice as likely to report marital dysfunction and to have [...]
PLoS ONE published an article today comparing long-term meditation and yoga practitioners to a group of controls and a group who had taken an 8-week relaxation training course. The researchers found differences in the expression of over 2200 genes, some of which affected cellular metabolism and response to oxidative stress in the long- and short-term [...]
A study published in the May 2008 issue of Biological Psychiatry found a strong connection between genes responsible for maternal and affiliative behaviours and autism spectrum disorders. The authors examined ASD symptoms in children with the diagnosis, and found links with genetic test results. They admit that further testing is needed to confirm the association, [...]
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