When we perceive threat, our bodies initiate a fight-or-flight response (Cannon, 1932). This physiological reaction – involving symptoms such as quickened heart rate – prepares us for action. Although unpleasant, it is likely that this adaptive response enabled our ancestors to run from or fight predators, and therefore to survive…
This week on the blog, Daniel [EDIT Lab PhD student] summarises the findings of a recently published study by Taraban et al. investigating the influence of parental depression on the development of behaviour problems in children through its effect on parenting. Parenting can be stressful, so it comes as…
The scientific process is being used to help researchers reflect on the work being conducted in different fields of science (an approach known as ‘meta-science’). Today, Tom McAdams discusses how meta-science is changing the way scientists understand and approach their work.
Decades of twin studies have shown that childhood behaviour problems including anxiety, depression, conduct and hyperactivity are substantially heritable. However, our recent research found that individual differences in behaviour problems are not significantly influenced by the common DNA differences that we directly measure. This finding held across diverse domains of…
Artificial Intelligence has many useful applications – Today on the blog, Shivani tells us a little more about the role of machine learning and discusses the potential (and potential pitfalls!) of AI to help us to better understand, predict and even treat mental health disorders. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a…
Last time out, I discussed options for replicating findings from a genome-wide association study when no appropriate cohort exists for replication. Perhaps the most effective solution was time – wait for more samples, get more power and prove those pesky doubters wrong. As all good sci-fi fans know (and as…
The Depressive Realism theory argues that those who are depressed have a more accurate and realistic view of reality than those who are not depressed. But how should this theory inform the way we think about, and treat, depression?
Behavioural problems in childhood, such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and conduct disorder are common. In the US, the likelihood of having one or more such problems is greater than 1 in 10. Our recent study asked to what extent individual differences in behaviour problems can be explained by differences in…
Replication is the lifeblood of science – but how do you replicate when your cohort is the biggest available? EDiT Lab Associate Member and genomics crank-turner postdoc extraordinaire Joni gives three ways how.
Methods and concepts in Behavioural Genetics are intrinsically statistical, and jargon and acronyms abound. This often makes the research difficult for people outside of the field (and in the field) to understand and critique. In light of this, Rosa [EditLab PhD student] takes a look at the world’s most famous…
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