Impulsivity In Young Adults Relates To Multiple Psychiatric Disorders, Genetic Study Claims

Genetic News: An individual’s genetic makeup may predispose them to engage in risky behavior and develop impulsive personality traits according to studies published in JNeurosci.

Dr. Abraham Palmer and colleagues conducted the largest-ever genetic analysis of impulsive personality traits involving more than 20000 older adults of European ancestry participating in personal genetics company 23andMe’s research program. The team compared the genetic data with self-reported impulsive personality traits and history of drug experimentation from the participants.

The results revealed an association between variants in the gene CADM2 — known to be associated with risky preference, alcohol consumption, and cannabis use — and sensation seeking and drug experimentation history. Researchers also found an association between a CACNA1I, a gene previously implicated in schizophrenia risk and negative urgency — a tendency to act impulsively in the face of adversity.

The study concludes that an individual’s genetic makeup may predispose them to engage in risky behavior, including drug use and, potentially, misuse.

To Know More You May Refer To

Sanchez-Roige, S., Fontanillas, P., Elson, S. L., Gray, J. C., De Wit, H., MacKillop, J., & Palmer, A. A. (2019). Genome-wide association studies of impulsive personality traits (BIS-11 and UPPSP) and drug experimentation in up to 22,861 adult research participants identify loci in the CACNA1I and CADM2 genes. The Journal of Neuroscience, 2662-18. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.2662-18.2019

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  • Impulsivity In Young Adults Relates To Multiple Psychiatric Disorders, Genetic Study Claims