MOLECULAR GENETIC STUDIES OF CHILD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

描述（改编自申请人摘要）：几年来， 儿童和青少年发病障碍，包括自闭症， 注意力缺陷多动障碍，强迫症， 严重抑郁症，已经被证明有不同程度的 基因影响 然而，没有一致的证据表明， 都可以用单个基因或遗传因素来解释。 最近 遗传学的分子和统计学方面的发展使得 研究这种复杂的疾病是可行的。 独立科学家奖的第一项研究内容是 收集了350名经过仔细诊断的自闭症患者。 自闭症 将使用诊断访谈和自闭症诊断观察计划 除了被检查的儿童和被诊断的儿童 以及青少年心理学家和儿童和青少年精神病学家。 将保持跨站点的可靠性。 将从两个人身上收集DNA 先证者及其父母。 传递/不平衡检验（TdT） 将用于确定候选基因座处的等位基因是否 优先传输。 此外，该数据库将提供 用于复制在其他样品中鉴定的任何易感性位点。 在先前的研究中， 注意力缺陷/多动障碍和遗传标记在 多巴胺转运蛋白基因座已被确定。 第二个研究部分 独立科学家发展计划将是一项研究， 通过添加结构化诊断重复初始研究 采访 与其他同事合作，对儿童发病的遗传分析 将进行重度抑郁症（候选基因的TdT）。 一个 重点将放在收集DNA从受试者与可靠， 有效的诊断，为分子遗传学研究提供数据基础严重 儿童和青少年的疾病。 诊断顾问 方法和遗传分析将定期与候选人会面， 为正在进行的研究职业发展提供指导。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): For several years, several child and adolescent onset disorders, including autistic disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depressive disorder, have been shown to have varying degrees of genetic influence. However, there has been no consistent evidence that they are explained by single genes, or by genetic factors alone. Recent developments in molecular and statistical aspects of genetics have made the study of such complex disorders feasible. The first research component of the independent scientist award is to collect 350 carefully diagnosed subjects with autistic disorder. The Autism Diagnostic Interview and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule will be used in addition to diagnosis of autistic disorder by both the examining child and adolescent psychologist and child and adolescent psychiatrist. Cross-site reliability will be maintained. DNA will be collected from both the proband and his/her parents. The transmission/disequilibrium test (TdT) will be used to determine whether alleles at candidate loci are preferentially transmitted. In addition, this data base will be available for replication of any susceptibility loci identified in other samples. In a previous study, linkage disequilibrium between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and a genetic marker at the dopamine transporter locus has been identified. A second research component of the independent scientist development plan will be a study designed to replicate the initial study with addition of a structured diagnostic interview. In collaboration with other colleagues, genetic analyses of childhood onset major depressive disorder (TdT of candidate genes) will be conducted. An emphasis will be placed on collecting DNA from subjects with reliably and valid diagnoses to provide a data base for molecular genetic studies severe disorders of children and adolescents. Consultants in diagnostic methodology and genetic analysis will meet regularly with the candidate to provide guidance for ongoing research career development.