An Interdisciplinary Approach to Studying Gene–Environment Interactions: From Twin Studies to Gene Identification and Back

Abstract

There has been a surge of interest in studying gene–environment interaction; however, research in this area faces a number of challenges. Interdisciplinary collaborations are critical at this juncture. This article reviews studies that illustrate how findings across different literatures can be synthesized to characterize how genetic and environmental influences impact developmental pathways. Developmental scientists are poised to make important contributions to studying gene–environment interaction. However, for this potential to be realized developmental–genetic studies must incorporate the most recent advances in genetics, and bridge the current schism that exists between genetic research being conducted in the fields of psychology and genetics.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This article was prepared with support by AA15416 and K02AA018755 from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.