Genetics of behavioural domains across the neuropsychiatric spectrum; of mice and men

Abstract

Family and twin studies have revealed that genetic factors play a major role in psychiatric disorders, however, attempts to find susceptibility genes for these complex disorders have been largely unsuccessful. Therefore, new research strategies are required to tackle the complex interactions of genes, developmental, and environmental events. Here, we will address a behavioural domain concept that focuses on the genetics of behavioural domains relevant to both animal behaviour and across human psychiatric disorders. We believe that interspecies trait genetics rather than complex syndrome genetics will optimize genotypephenotype relationships for psychiatric disorders and facilitate the identification of biological substrates underlying these disorders.

Perspectives on Zebrafish Models of Hallucinogenic Drugs and Related Psychotropic Compounds

“…14 Recently, both translational "cross-species" modeling and increasing the spectrum of model organisms have been recognized as key strategies for biological psychiatry research. 44 Reflecting the importance of evolutionarily conserved traits in translational neuroscience, 45 optimal animal models of brain disorders must be evolutionarily relevant, that is, targeting common behavioral and physiological phenotypes, neural pathways and circuits in a similar manner across various species. 46 In our view, this approach enables a good focus on ancient, conserved (and, therefore, fundamental and translationally relevant) aspects of brain pathology, 46 including hallucinogenic drug-related phenomena.…”

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Alterations in Autism Spectrum Disorders – Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

“…We suggest here that similarities in behaviors across those neurological conditions, as well as high prevalence of simultaneity suggest a possible shared underlying mechanism. Moreover, there has been a recent push to redefine repetitive behavior in these neuropsychiatric disorders and instead characterize stereotypies into disorder-related endophenotypes rather than separate disorder-specific symptoms (Kas et al, 2007, Langen et al, 2011). Tourette's syndrome (TS), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), all involve disordered cortical-basal ganglia circuitry and all can be successfully treated with drugs acting on nAChRs.…”

Chromosome 8p as a potential hub for developmental neuropsychiatric disorders: implications for schizophrenia, autism and cancer

“…49 We recently described a mouse mutant that lacks the Fgf17 gene (Fgf17 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) family of genes), which is located in 8p21.3. It has abnormalities in the patterning of frontal cortex (that is, a reduction in dorsal and dorsomedial frontal cortex (FC) and FC projections to subcortical targets, and a rostromedial shift of caudal cortical areas) and social behavior deficits.…”