Title: The “Neuro” in Neurogenetics
Authors: Story Landis and Thomas R. Insel
Summary: In an effort to find a link between genomics and
behavior, scientists began looking on the molecular level in the brain. Complex
behaviors are starting to have an explanation in molecular biology, and in genetics.
Behavioral adaption seems to be linked to genomic variation, which could give
us greater insight into how we make complex decisions such as picking a mate.
The scientists involved in this project are attempting to find how genes
influence behavior. They are finding
that it may be linked to how the genes are expressed. Changing something as
small as where the protein a gene codes for is received in the brain can have a
huge change in function. But first scientist must find how this influences
neural circuitry to find out how it can create changes in the behaviors
produced by the brain. But once the answer is found it could have a large
impact on neurological disorders. It could provide the answer for how they
change the brain’s structure and function, and even one day prevent or undo the
changes made by these diseases. The larger dream of this endeavor is to explain
complex disorders, such as autism. Until then, much is to be learned about the
brain.
Purpose: This article strived to dip its toe in a
complicated and on-going field of research in epigenomics. It has big dreams of
understanding complex behavioral phenotypes and even neurological disorders.
Scientists are striving to find a link between the proteins genes code for,
where they are received in the brain, and how changing the amount, location or
type can influence behavior. The larger hope is to gain a deeper understanding
of very complicated diseases that affect the brain, and perhaps lead to an
eventual cure.
Conclusion: The article is inconclusive, as the field is
most likely going to be researched for the next century! It’s an interesting
train of thought, and a small expose into this very complex study that is still
in its infancy. It was interesting to read how they were approaching behavior
from a more genetic point of view, rather than environmental. I hope they find
their research fruitful, and will be sure to follow the study.
Personal Insight: I once wrote a research paper on the
recent “fad” of banning entire dog breeds. Most communities have labeled
certain breeds of dogs, such as pitbulls, as dangerous and temperamental.
Behavior and propensity towards aggression, I found, are not purely influenced
by genes. In fact, there has never been a “violent” gene found that I am aware
of. This article challenges what I wrote by suggesting that perhaps proteins
coded by genes have been influencing the behavior of these dogs, and there is a
link between how one acts and their genomic coding. A part of me hopes this
isn’t true, but if it is perhaps it can bred out of these dogs.
