Using four waves of data from Add Health, in this data analysis subproject we will examine the developmentaltrajectories of drug use and related behaviors, including conduct problems and risky sexual behavior. Geneticcontributions will be examined in terms of their interaction with other biological, psychological, and social factorsin a developmental life course framework. Attention to the developmental course and consequences of drug useleads to an emphasis on genetic polymorphisms in the dopamine system, some of which can be examined in detailthrough dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association studies of the candidate genes. Attention to theenvironmental influences on development leads to our simultaneous consideration of genotype by environmentinteractions, and to a consideration of genetic polymorphisms of the serotonin system that may mediate responsesto environmental stressors and life transitions. We will: empirically determine trajectories of substance use andabuse from adolescence into young adulthood, and identify subgroups of individuals who reflect distinct patternsof continuity and change in substance use over time; describe how trajectories of substance use intersect withpatterns of sexual risk taking and anti-social behavior; examine trajectories of substance use, and their covariationwith sexual and anti-social behavior patterns, by gender and race/ethnicity to determine if there are patterns thatare more characteristic of some groups versus others; examine genetic contributions to substance use trajectoriesand related health outcomes through biometrical analyses of the genetic pairs data; examine genetic contributionsto substance use trajectories and related health outcomes through association tests of candidate genes includingdense SNP mapping of specific target genes in the dopaminergic pathways implicated in the response to substancesof abuse, and serotonergic pathways implicated in response to environmental stressors or adversity; examine geneX environment interactions in predicting the trajectories of substance use, and associated conduct problems, riskysexual behavior and related health outcomes, and whether these interactions vary by gender or race/ethnicity.
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