This Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award will afford Dr. Rohan Palmer focused training for his programmatic line of research in the genetics of alcohol dependence and related phenotypes (AD). Given that gene identification studies (in particular genomewide association studies) on alcoholism are challenged by the fact that alcoholism is a multifactorial disorder influenced by multiple interacting genes, each with small effect, the public health relevance for deriving new analytical strategies and statistical methods is substantial. The proposed research aligns with the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's plan to """"""""Identify genes associated with vulnerability for alcohol dependence by employing new and emerging technologies, on samples from study populations previously recruited for genetic research on alcohol dependence"""""""". It is evident that a network-based approach is necessary to describe the joint distribution of genetic effects that comprise specific neural or molecular pathways that underlie alcohol dependence. Genetic samples and phenotypic data available through the Database for Genotype and Phenotypes (dbGAP), as well as collected data from the Center for Antisocial Drug Dependence will be used to provide a cost-effective opportunity to identify gene networks that alter susceptibility to AD, thereby improving our understanding of AD while introducing a novel approach to the field of alcohol genetics. The proposed research assists Dr. Palmer in achieving his career and training goals to: (1) develop proficiency in statistical genetics and systems-based association methods, (2) become adept at using biostatistics tools to identify gene and protein interaction networks, (3) identify variation in evolutionarily robust biological systems by developing novel data mining techniques, (4) develop a program of research aimed at identifying combinations of genetic variation in biological systems affected by alcohol and other drug/pharmaceuticals with the potential for abuse, and (5) establish collaborations to develop high-quality research manuscripts and grants.
The specific aims of the proposed research are to: (1) Derive gene network graphs that describe the relationships between genes (i.e., influence graphs) using prior knowledge of genetic association, bioinformatics databases, systems biology, and gene and protein interaction modeling tools;(2) identify sub networks of genes within the influence graphs from Aim 1 (these networks will be identified before and after accounting for several covariates (e.g., major depression, and select environmental factors);and (3) replicate findings from Aim 2 using independent samples with similar phenotypic and genetic data. Training and research goals will be achieved through a combination of didactic coursework, ongoing close mentorship, mentored research, workshops, and collaborative projects. This application will lead to research findings to support planned future R01s, as well as innovative research methods that advance our understanding of gene-biology-phenotype relationships.

Public Health Relevance

Although an estimated 17.6 million American adults (8.5%) meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence our understanding of how genetic differences explain why one individual develops alcohol dependence and another does not remains limited by several issues such as phenotypic heterogeneity and power attenuation due to correction for multiple testing. This innovative K01 application will improve public health overall by guiding treatment and prevention efforts through a more complete characterization of genetic influences on alcohol use disorders that will potentially identify heretofore unrealized mechanisms that may provide new targets for treatments efforts.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01AA021113-01
Application #
8272019
Study Section
Health Services Research Review Subcommittee (AA)
Program Officer
Parsian, Abbas
Project Start
2012-08-20
Project End
2017-07-31
Budget Start
2012-08-20
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$171,104
Indirect Cost
$11,199
Name
Rhode Island Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
075710996
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02903
Tsypes, Aliona; Owens, Max; Hajcak, Greg et al. (2018) Neural reward responsiveness in children who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury: an ERP study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 59:1289-1297
Micalizzi, Lauren; Marceau, Kristine; Brick, Leslie A et al. (2018) Inhibitory control in siblings discordant for exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy. Dev Psychol 54:199-208
Marceau, Kristine; Cinnamon Bidwell, L; Karoly, Hollis C et al. (2018) Within-Family Effects of Smoking during Pregnancy on ADHD: the Importance of Phenotype. J Abnorm Child Psychol 46:685-699
Bidwell, L Cinnamon; Marceau, Kristine; Brick, Leslie A et al. (2017) Prenatal Exposure Effects on Early Adolescent Substance Use: Preliminary Evidence From a Genetically Informed Bayesian Approach. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 78:789-794
Feurer, Cope; McGeary, John E; Knopik, Valerie S et al. (2017) HPA axis multilocus genetic profile score moderates the impact of interpersonal stress on prospective increases in depressive symptoms for offspring of depressed mothers. J Abnorm Psychol 126:1017-1028
Palmer, Rohan H C; Beevers, Christopher G; McGeary, John E et al. (2017) A Preliminary Study of Genetic Variation in the Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Systems and Genome-wide Additive Genetic Effects on Depression Severity and Treatment Response. Clin Psychol Sci 5:158-165
Palmer, Rohan H C; Nugent, Nicole R; Brick, Leslie A et al. (2016) Evidence of Shared Genome-Wide Additive Genetic Effects on Interpersonal Trauma Exposure and Generalized Vulnerability to Drug Dependence in a Population of Substance Users. J Trauma Stress 29:197-204
Knopik, Valerie S; Marceau, Kristine; Palmer, Rohan H C et al. (2016) Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Offspring Birth Weight: A Genetically-Informed Approach Comparing Multiple Raters. Behav Genet 46:353-64
Kudinova, Anastacia Y; Deak, Terrence; Hueston, Cara M et al. (2016) Cross-species evidence for the role of interleukin-33 in depression risk. J Abnorm Psychol 125:482-94
Marceau, Kristine; Palmer, Rohan H C; Neiderhiser, Jenae M et al. (2016) Passive rGE or Developmental Gene-Environment Cascade? An Investigation of the Role of Xenobiotic Metabolism Genes in the Association Between Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy and Child Birth Weight. Behav Genet 46:365-77

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