Genetic influences on adolescent behavior

Abstract

Adolescence is a transitional, developmental phase with marked shifts in behavior, particularly as related to risk-taking and experimentation. Genetic influences on adolescent behavior also show marked changes across this developmental period; in fact, adolescence showcases the dynamic nature of genetic influences on human behavior. Using the twin studies literature on alcohol use and misuse, we highlight several principles of genetic influence on adolescent behavior. We illustrate how genetic influences change (increase) across adolescence, as individuals have more freedom to express their predispositions and to shape their social worlds. We show how there are multiple genetic pathways to risk, and how the environment can moderate the importance of genetic predispositions. Finally, we review the literature aimed at identifying specific genes involved in adolescent behavior and understanding how identified genes impact adolescent outcomes. Ultimately, understanding how genetic predispositions combine with environmental influences to impact pathways of risk and resilience should be translated into improved prevention and intervention efforts; this remains a rich area for future research.

Genes, Roommates, and Residence Halls: A Multidimensional Study of the Role of Peer Drinking on College Students’ Alcohol Use

“…Although we found evidence for polygenic association with alcohol use, we did not find the expected gene‐by‐environment interaction effects. Previous studies that focused on peer influence as a moderator of genetic risk used younger age‐groups (Dick et al., , ; Latendresse et al., ); therefore, it is possible that the same effects may not apply in college students due to potential gene‐by‐environment‐by‐development effects on alcohol use. It is also possible that college itself is an extreme social environment that promotes alcohol use, which may make it difficult to distinguish the differences in genetic risk as a function of environment due to the lack of heterogeneity (Boardman et al., ).…”

Facilitating Adolescent Well‐Being: A Review of the Challenges and Opportunities and the Beneficial Roles of Parents, Schools, Neighborhoods, and Policymakers

“…This asynchronous brain development is associated with adolescent preference for immediate rewards, discounting of long-term losses, and their risk-taking and impulsivity (Kilford, Garrett, & Blakemore, 2016;Dick, Adkins, & Kuo, 2016). Because adolescent exploratory behavior surges before the maturation of cortical control, the situation has been likened to starting a car with an unskilled driver (Dahl, 2004).…”

Post‐GWAS in Psychiatric Genetics: A Developmental Perspective on the “Other” Next Steps

“…At the population level, they have a significant genetic component, but are also strongly influenced by the environment (Verhulst et al , 2015; Kendler et al , 2007; Kendler et al , 2003), and twin studies provide further evidence that the heritability can vary considerably as a function of the environment (Barr et al 2017, Dick et al , 2001, Dick et al , 2007b, Harden et al , 2008, Heath et al 1989, Li et al , 2017, Miles et al , 2005) An environmental exposure is necessary for the development of disorder (access to and ingestion of a substance), making it a rich area for the study of gene-environment interaction. Substance use disorders are phenotypically heterogeneous, with multiple pathways of risk (Dick et al , 2016) and manifestations of the disorder (Hussong et al , 2011; Zucker, 2008). Alcohol and other drug use are also strongly genetically correlated with other psychiatric disorders, most strongly externalizing disorders (Kendler et al , 2003, Krueger et al , 2002, Young et al , 2000), suggesting that studying core component processes as they relate to behavioral disinhibition and impulsivity are likely to play important roles in the development of the disorder, and potentially represent mechanisms by which genetic risk unfolds.…”