Journal of Genetic Syndromes & Gene Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: ISSN: 2157-7412
ISSN: ISSN: 2157-7412
Trevor Archer
Sweden
Review Article
Neurogenetics and Epigenetics in Impulsive Behaviour: Impact on Reward Circuitry
Author(s): Trevor Archer, Marlene Oscar-Berman, Kenneth Blum and Mark Gold
Trevor Archer, Marlene Oscar-Berman, Kenneth Blum and Mark Gold
Adverse, unfavourable life conditions, particularly during early life stages and infancy, can lead to epigenetic regulation of genes involved in stress-response, behavioral disinhibition, and cognitive-emotional systems. Over time, the ultimate final outcome can be expressed through behaviors bedeviled by problems with impulse control, such as eating disorders, alcoholism, and indiscriminate social behavior. While many reward gene polymorphisms are involved in impulsive behaviors, a polymorphism by itself may not translate to the development of a particular behavioral disorder unless it is impacted by epigenetic effects. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) affects the development and integrity of the noradrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems, and plasma levels of the neurotrophin are associated with both cognitive and aggressi.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2157-7412.1000115