Genetic studies of pathological gambling: a review of methodology and analyses of data from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry.

Full Abstract

Twin studies represent an important and powerful approach to estimating the relative contributions of environmental and genetic factors to the expression of psychiatric illnesses. In this article, we first explain the rationale for using large populations of monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs to estimate genetic and environmental contributions to a disorder and the statistical modeling associated with this approach. We then review results from studies of the Vietnam Era Twin Registry that use this methodology to examine the etiology of pathological gambling (PG) behaviors. The results provide strong evidence for genetic contributions to the development of PG in men and set the foundation for future studies aimed at identifying the manner in which specific genes and environmental factors individually and in conjunction contribute to PG.

Author information

Author/s: Shah, Kamini R (KR); Eisen, Seth A (SA); Xian, Hong (H); Potenza, Marc N (MN);

Affiliation: St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 915 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63106, USA. straycat64(-atsign-)yahoo.com

Grants: DA00366 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS) ; DA04604 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS) ; MH60426 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Review; Twin Study

Journal: Journal of gambling studies / co-sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling and Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming (J Gambl Stud), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2005-; vol 21 (issue 2) : pp 179-203

Dates: Created 2005/05/04; Completed 2007/11/01; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 15870986, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.