Gene-Environment Transactions in Developmental Psychopathology - The Role in Intervention Research

This book examines the current research in gene-environment transactions (GEX) and its potential use in developing interventions and applications tailored to individual genetic makeups. Key concepts underlying GEX studies in this area are defined, identifying fundamental challenges in devising informed research questions and conducting valid and useful experiments. Chapters analyze GEX models inspired by the present day genome-based frameworks, particularly in terms of advances in identifying and understanding complex environmental factors, using examples from common psychological conditions, such as antisocial behavior, chronic physical aggression, and chronic internalizing disorder. In addition, the book presents new and potential applications of the framework in the contexts of prevention science and intervention research. 

Topics featured in this book include:

• Epigenetics and the biology of gene x environment interactions.
  
• Gene by environment interactions and its potential use for intervention strategies in anxiety disorders.
  
• The challenges and potential for research on gene-environment interactions within autism spectrum disorder.
  
• Using genetically informed prevention trials to test gene x environment hypothese.
  
• Challenges for intervention research within the GEX framework.
  

Gene-Environment Transactions in Developmental Psychopathology is a must-have resource for researchers/professors, clinicians, and related professionals as well as graduate students in developmental psychology, psychiatry, human genetics, and related disciplines.

Patrick H. Tolan, Ph.D., is Professor of Education and of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia, where he is Director of Youth-Nex: The UVA Center to Promote Effective Youth Development. Youth-Nex is a cross-university, multidisciplinary center to advance prevention of problems affecting youth and to promote healthy development. Before starting this center in August 2009, Dr. Tolan directed the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois for the previous 10 years, a multidisciplinary center of 50+ faculty focused on child and adolescent mental health, where he was Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the School of Public Health. He is now Emeritus Professor at the University of Illinois. Bennett Leventhal, M.D., is Deputy Director of the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research. He is also Professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Emeritus at The University of Chicago and Professor of Psychiatry at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. Dr, Leventhal received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and, subsequently, completed his General Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry training at Duke University.