Examining the genetic overlap between internalizing and externalizing behaviors

• Grant number: 24/14539-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Síntia Iole Nogueira Belangero
• Grantee: Carolina Muniz Felix de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/02304-1 - Examining the genetic overlap between internalizing and externalizing behaviors, AP.R

Abstract

Internalizing problems such as emotional dysregulation and externalizing behaviors like aggression often manifest early in life, correlating with adverse outcomes in adulthood. Genetic influences are substantial in developing these symptoms, contributing significantly to their variance, yet the complete genetic landscape and environmental triggers remain elusive. The study aims to investigate the polygenic overlap between internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children and adolescents. Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and specialized methodologies like linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and bivariate causal mixture models (MiXeR), the research seeks to identify genetic correlations, estimate shared genetic vulnerabilities, and assess the SNP-heritability of these dimensions. Our approach will involve a thorough analysis of relevant genetic markers to gain a better understanding of the complex interplay between genetic influences and these behaviors. We are confident that by identifying genes related to polygenic overlap between internalizing and externalizing symptoms, our findings will provide groundbreaking insights into the causes of these behaviors. Ultimately, our research will have significant implications for developing more personalized and effective interventions or treatments that address internalizing and externalizing symptoms. (AU)