Genes, Brain and Behavior

Figure 4: Significant genetic enrichment was observed at various P-value thresholds for EA and AA GWAS data.

MAOA-LPR activity status interacts with life events in pregnancy (G × E) to predict infant negative emotionality.

Transgenic mice with hypersensitive α6 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits develop a conditioned place preference using a low dose (0.5 g/kg) of alcohol.

Anxiety and depression phenotypes in aged GPR37 KO female mice: relevance for the study of PD non-motor symptoms.

Figure 9: Multidimensional data analysis improves fear evaluation by up to 15% higher accuracy and two fold higher precision.

GABRA2 SNPs are associated with NEO-impulsiveness and Lifetime Alcohol Problems (LAPS). Impulsiveness partially mediates the association of GABRA2 SNPs with LAPS.

Drd2 knockout dams showed elevated prolactin, and disrupted prolactin and retrieval responses to ultrasonic vocalization emitting pups.

The OXTR association with face cognition was opposed for female and male and was completely explained by fluid cognition.

Significant nicotine × COMT genotype interaction in cortico-striatal areas during performance feedback.

Commercially available knockout (KO) mouse for the α7-nicotinic receptor was used to evaluate its role in sensory filtering [habituation and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle, and habituation in the locomotor box], nicotine-enhanced sensorimotor gating and in spatial learning. Mice showed normal habituation. In contrast to previous reports, a mild but very consistent impairment of PPI was observed in these mice. Most importantly, nicotine-enhanced PPI was absent in KO animals, suggesting a crucial role of the α7-nicotinic receptor in enhancing PPI by nicotine. Spatial learning was unperturbed in these animals; however, we found some evidence for a slightly increased anxiety level.

Reward-related ventral striatum reactivity mediates gender-specific effects of a galanin remote enhancer haplotype on problem drinking.

This study extends the literature on the interplay between CRHR1 variation and alcoholism, in the context of exposure to traumatic stress. These findings are consistent with the hypothesized role of the extra hypothalamic CRF system dysregulation in the initiation and maintenance of alcoholism.

With fewer than 300 Diversity Outbred mice, QTL can be mapped with 2 Mb precision for many behaviors. Narrowing QTL support interval using phylogeny and sequencing information based on allele effect estimates.

Decreased formalin-induced licking behavior in mice with a dorsal root ganglion-specific knockout of the gene for the Yin Yang 1 transcription factor.

Repeated stress and food restriction decreased and increased body weight gain of male (RCEm-S) and female (RCEf-S)rats, respectively.