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Introduction to Behavioral and Psychiatric Genetics

Provides an overview of research methods and their application to the study of behavioral and psychiatric genetics. Course begins by briefly introducing necessary concepts in molecular and population genetics. The course then studies designs and analytic methods used to investigate the genetic contribution to human behavior and its disturbances. The study designs covered include the following: family, twin, and adoption studies to evaluate the extent of genetic contribution; segregation studies to determine the mode of inheritance; linkage and association studies to map genes; and other epidemiological designs to elucidate gene-by-environment interactions. These are illustrated through examples of real studies. At the end of the course, the student will be familiar with our current understanding of the role genetic factors play in human behavior, its disturbances, and how our research may further that understanding.