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…
In one of my previous blog posts, I discussed the issue of children and adolescents using online social media and the associated risks of cyberbullying. To further explore these issues, I met with Louise Arseneault, Professor in Developmental Psychology, to discuss the impact that bullying can have on young people…
If you’ve ever suffered from problems with your emotions or behaviour, you might have struggled with disturbed sleep, too. But are emotional or behavioural difficulties always associated with poor sleep? Are some types of people with difficulties actually better sleepers than your average person? New research from our team suggests…
Data are perceived by some as a kind of currency, a source of boundless knowledge, with the potential to prevent suffering and death. However, taking a closer look at the etymology of the word prompts careful reconsideration of our assumptions about – and uses of – data in the context of psychiatry.
Recent Comments