The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Neil Risch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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testing for non random Mating evidence for ancestry related Assortative Mating in the framingham heart study
Genetic Epidemiology, 2010Co-Authors: Ronnie Sebro, Neil Risch, Thomas Hoffman, Christoph Lange, John RogusAbstract:Population stratification leads to a predictable phenomenon—a reduction in the number of heterozygotes compared to that calculated assuming Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE). We show that population stratification results in another phenomenon—an excess in the proportion of spouse-pairs with the same genotypes at all ancestrally informative markers, resulting in ancestrally related positive Assortative Mating. We use principal components analysis to show that there is evidence of population stratification within the Framingham Heart Study, and show that the first principal component correlates with a North-South European cline. We then show that the first principal component is highly correlated between spouses (r=0.58, p=0.0013), demonstrating that there is ancestrally related positive Assortative Mating among the Framingham Caucasian population. We also show that the single nucleotide polymorphisms loading most heavily on the first principal component show an excess of homozygotes within the spouses, consistent with similar ancestry-related Assortative Mating in the previous generation. This nonrandom Mating likely affects genetic structure seen more generally in the North American population of European descent today, and decreases the rate of decay of linkage disequilibrium for ancestrally informative markers.
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Ancestry-related Assortative Mating in Latino populations
Genome biology, 2009Co-Authors: Neil Risch, Shweta Choudhry, Marc Via, Analabha Basu, Ronnie Sebro, Celeste Eng, Kenneth B. Beckman, Shannon Thyne, Rocio Chapela, Jose R. Rodriguez-santanaAbstract:Background: While spouse correlations have been documented for numerous traits, no prior studies have assessed Assortative Mating for genetic ancestry in admixed populations. Results: Using 104 ancestry informative markers, we examined spouse correlations in genetic ancestry for Mexican spouse pairs recruited from Mexico City and the San Francisco Bay Area, and Puerto Rican spouse pairs recruited from Puerto Rico and New York City. In the Mexican pairs, we found strong spouse correlations for European and Native American ancestry, but no correlation in African ancestry. In the Puerto Rican pairs, we found significant spouse correlations for African ancestry and European ancestry but not Native American ancestry. Correlations were not attributable to variation in socioeconomic status or geographic heterogeneity. Past evidence of spouse correlation was also seen in the strong evidence of linkage disequilibrium between unlinked markers, which was accounted for in regression analysis by ancestral allele frequency difference at the pair of markers (European versus Native American for Mexicans, European versus African for Puerto Ricans). We also observed an excess of homozygosity at individual markers within the spouses, but this provided weaker evidence, as expected, of spouse correlation. Ancestry variance is predicted to decline in each generation, but less so under Assortative Mating. We used the current observed variances of ancestry to infer even stronger patterns of spouse ancestry correlation in previous generations.
Chiara Orsini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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parental skills Assortative Mating and the incidence of autism spectrum disorder
Social Science Research Network, 2021Co-Authors: Meltem N Daysal, Todd E Elder, Judith K Hellerstein, Scott A Imberman, Chiara OrsiniAbstract:We use rich administrative data from Denmark to assess medical theories that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heritable condition transmitted through underlying parental skills. Positing that occupational choices reflect skills, we create two separate occupation-based skill measures and find that these measures are associated with ASD incidence among children, especially through the father’s side. We also assess the empirical relevance of Assortative Mating based on skill, concluding that intertemporal changes in Assortative Mating explain little of the increase in ASD diagnoses in recent decades. Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber.org.
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parental skills Assortative Mating and the incidence of autism spectrum disorder
National Bureau of Economic Research, 2021Co-Authors: Meltem N Daysal, Todd E Elder, Judith K Hellerstein, Scott A Imberman, Chiara OrsiniAbstract:We use rich administrative data from Denmark to assess medical theories that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heritable condition transmitted through underlying parental skills. Positing that occupational choices reflect skills, we create two separate occupation-based skill measures and find that these measures are associated with ASD incidence among children, especially through the father’s side. We also assess the empirical relevance of Assortative Mating based on skill, concluding that intertemporal changes in Assortative Mating explain little of the increase in ASD diagnoses in recent decades.
Pamela A F Madden - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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spousal concordance for alcohol dependence evidence for Assortative Mating or spousal interaction effects
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2007Co-Authors: Julia D Grant, Andrew C Heath, Kathleen K Bucholz, Pamela A F Madden, Arpana Agrawal, Dixie J Statham, Nicholas G MartinAbstract:BACKGROUND: Alcohol dependence (AD) is among the most common psychiatric disorders, and impacts the health and well-being of problem drinkers, their family members, and society as a whole. Although previous research has consistently indicated that genetic factors contribute to variance in risk for AD, little attention has been paid to nonrandom Mating for AD. When Assortative Mating occurs for a heritable trait, spouses are genetically correlated and offspring are at increased risk of receiving high-risk genes from both parents. The primary goal of the present analyses is to test hypotheses about the source(s) and magnitude of spousal associations for AD using a twin-spouse design. METHODS: DSM-IV AD (without the clustering criterion) was assessed via telephone interview for 5,974 twin members of an older cohort of the Australian Twin Register (born 1902-1964) and 3,814 spouses of the twins. Quantitative genetic modeling was used to determine the extent to which variability in risk for AD was influenced by genetic factors, the extent of spousal association for AD, and whether the association was attributable to Assortative Mating, reciprocal spousal interaction, or both processes. RESULTS: Genetic factors explained 49% of the variance in risk for AD. There was no evidence of gender differences in the spousal interaction effect, the degree of rater bias, or the association between the twin's report of spouse AD and the spouse's AD phenotype. Either the Assortative Mating parameter or the spousal interaction parameter could be removed from the model without a significant decrement in fit, but both could not be dropped simultaneously, suggesting a lack of power to differentiate between these 2 causes of spousal correlation. When both effects were included in the model, the spousal correlation was 0.29, the Assortative Mating coefficient was 0.45 (i.e., "like marries like"), and the reciprocal spousal interaction coefficient was -0.10 (i.e., after controlling for Assortative Mating, the additional impact of spousal interactions is slightly protective). CONCLUSIONS: These analyses provide evidence of significant spousal associations for AD, with Assortative Mating increasing spouse similarity and spousal interaction effects decreasing it after controlling for Assortative Mating. Although the genetic impact is modest, Assortative Mating results in an increased proportion of offspring exposed to 2 alcoholic parents and the associated detrimental environmental sequelae, and increases the likelihood of offspring inheriting high-risk genes from both parents.
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Assortative Mating for cigarette smoking and for alcohol consumption in female australian twins and their spouses
Behavior Genetics, 2006Co-Authors: Arpana Agrawal, Julia D Grant, Andrew C Heath, Kathleen K Bucholz, Dixie J Statham, Nicholas G Martin, Michele L Pergadia, Pamela A F MaddenAbstract:Background Non-random Mating affects population variation for substance use and dependence. Developmentally, mate selection leading to positive spousal correlations for genetic similarity may result in increased risk for substance use and misuse in offspring. Mate selection varies by cohort and thus, Assortative Mating in one generation may produce marked changes in rates of substance use in the next. We aim to clarify the mechanisms contributing to spousal similarity for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Methods Using data from female twins and their male spouses, we fit univariate and bivariate twin models to examine the contribution of primary Assortative Mating and reciprocal marital interaction to spousal resemblance for regular cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, and for regular alcohol use and alcohol dependence. Results We found that Assortative Mating significantly influenced regular smoking, regular alcohol use, nicotine dependence and alcohol dependence. The bivariate models for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption also highlighted the importance of primary Assortative Mating on all stages of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, with additional evidence for Assortative Mating across the two stages of alcohol consumption. Conclusions Women who regularly used, and subsequently were dependent on cigarettes or alcohol were more likely to marry men with similar behaviors. After mate selection had occurred, one partner's cigarette or alcohol involvement did not significantly modify the other partner's involvement with these psychoactive substances.
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Assortative Mating for cigarette smoking and for alcohol consumption in female australian twins and their spouses
Behavior Genetics, 2006Co-Authors: Arpana Agrawal, Julia D Grant, Andrew C Heath, Kathleen K Bucholz, Dixie J Statham, Nicholas G Martin, Michele L Pergadia, Pamela A F MaddenAbstract:Non-random Mating affects population variation for substance use and dependence. Developmentally, mate selection leading to positive spousal correlations for genetic similarity may result in increased risk for substance use and misuse in offspring. Mate selection varies by cohort and thus, Assortative Mating in one generation may produce marked changes in rates of substance use in the next. We aim to clarify the mechanisms contributing to spousal similarity for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Using data from female twins and their male spouses, we fit univariate and bivariate twin models to examine the contribution of primary Assortative Mating and reciprocal marital interaction to spousal resemblance for regular cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, and for regular alcohol use and alcohol dependence. We found that Assortative Mating significantly influenced regular smoking, regular alcohol use, nicotine dependence and alcohol dependence. The bivariate models for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption also highlighted the importance of primary Assortative Mating on all stages of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, with additional evidence for Assortative Mating across the two stages of alcohol consumption. Women who regularly used, and subsequently were dependent on cigarettes or alcohol were more likely to marry men with similar behaviors. After mate selection had occurred, one partner’s cigarette or alcohol involvement did not significantly modify the other partner’s involvement with these psychoactive substances.
Nicholas G Martin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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spousal concordance for alcohol dependence evidence for Assortative Mating or spousal interaction effects
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2007Co-Authors: Julia D Grant, Andrew C Heath, Kathleen K Bucholz, Pamela A F Madden, Arpana Agrawal, Dixie J Statham, Nicholas G MartinAbstract:BACKGROUND: Alcohol dependence (AD) is among the most common psychiatric disorders, and impacts the health and well-being of problem drinkers, their family members, and society as a whole. Although previous research has consistently indicated that genetic factors contribute to variance in risk for AD, little attention has been paid to nonrandom Mating for AD. When Assortative Mating occurs for a heritable trait, spouses are genetically correlated and offspring are at increased risk of receiving high-risk genes from both parents. The primary goal of the present analyses is to test hypotheses about the source(s) and magnitude of spousal associations for AD using a twin-spouse design. METHODS: DSM-IV AD (without the clustering criterion) was assessed via telephone interview for 5,974 twin members of an older cohort of the Australian Twin Register (born 1902-1964) and 3,814 spouses of the twins. Quantitative genetic modeling was used to determine the extent to which variability in risk for AD was influenced by genetic factors, the extent of spousal association for AD, and whether the association was attributable to Assortative Mating, reciprocal spousal interaction, or both processes. RESULTS: Genetic factors explained 49% of the variance in risk for AD. There was no evidence of gender differences in the spousal interaction effect, the degree of rater bias, or the association between the twin's report of spouse AD and the spouse's AD phenotype. Either the Assortative Mating parameter or the spousal interaction parameter could be removed from the model without a significant decrement in fit, but both could not be dropped simultaneously, suggesting a lack of power to differentiate between these 2 causes of spousal correlation. When both effects were included in the model, the spousal correlation was 0.29, the Assortative Mating coefficient was 0.45 (i.e., "like marries like"), and the reciprocal spousal interaction coefficient was -0.10 (i.e., after controlling for Assortative Mating, the additional impact of spousal interactions is slightly protective). CONCLUSIONS: These analyses provide evidence of significant spousal associations for AD, with Assortative Mating increasing spouse similarity and spousal interaction effects decreasing it after controlling for Assortative Mating. Although the genetic impact is modest, Assortative Mating results in an increased proportion of offspring exposed to 2 alcoholic parents and the associated detrimental environmental sequelae, and increases the likelihood of offspring inheriting high-risk genes from both parents.
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Assortative Mating for cigarette smoking and for alcohol consumption in female australian twins and their spouses
Behavior Genetics, 2006Co-Authors: Arpana Agrawal, Julia D Grant, Andrew C Heath, Kathleen K Bucholz, Dixie J Statham, Nicholas G Martin, Michele L Pergadia, Pamela A F MaddenAbstract:Background Non-random Mating affects population variation for substance use and dependence. Developmentally, mate selection leading to positive spousal correlations for genetic similarity may result in increased risk for substance use and misuse in offspring. Mate selection varies by cohort and thus, Assortative Mating in one generation may produce marked changes in rates of substance use in the next. We aim to clarify the mechanisms contributing to spousal similarity for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Methods Using data from female twins and their male spouses, we fit univariate and bivariate twin models to examine the contribution of primary Assortative Mating and reciprocal marital interaction to spousal resemblance for regular cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, and for regular alcohol use and alcohol dependence. Results We found that Assortative Mating significantly influenced regular smoking, regular alcohol use, nicotine dependence and alcohol dependence. The bivariate models for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption also highlighted the importance of primary Assortative Mating on all stages of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, with additional evidence for Assortative Mating across the two stages of alcohol consumption. Conclusions Women who regularly used, and subsequently were dependent on cigarettes or alcohol were more likely to marry men with similar behaviors. After mate selection had occurred, one partner's cigarette or alcohol involvement did not significantly modify the other partner's involvement with these psychoactive substances.
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Assortative Mating for cigarette smoking and for alcohol consumption in female australian twins and their spouses
Behavior Genetics, 2006Co-Authors: Arpana Agrawal, Julia D Grant, Andrew C Heath, Kathleen K Bucholz, Dixie J Statham, Nicholas G Martin, Michele L Pergadia, Pamela A F MaddenAbstract:Non-random Mating affects population variation for substance use and dependence. Developmentally, mate selection leading to positive spousal correlations for genetic similarity may result in increased risk for substance use and misuse in offspring. Mate selection varies by cohort and thus, Assortative Mating in one generation may produce marked changes in rates of substance use in the next. We aim to clarify the mechanisms contributing to spousal similarity for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Using data from female twins and their male spouses, we fit univariate and bivariate twin models to examine the contribution of primary Assortative Mating and reciprocal marital interaction to spousal resemblance for regular cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, and for regular alcohol use and alcohol dependence. We found that Assortative Mating significantly influenced regular smoking, regular alcohol use, nicotine dependence and alcohol dependence. The bivariate models for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption also highlighted the importance of primary Assortative Mating on all stages of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, with additional evidence for Assortative Mating across the two stages of alcohol consumption. Women who regularly used, and subsequently were dependent on cigarettes or alcohol were more likely to marry men with similar behaviors. After mate selection had occurred, one partner’s cigarette or alcohol involvement did not significantly modify the other partner’s involvement with these psychoactive substances.
Marco Parolini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Assortative Mating for telomere length and antioxidant capacity in barn swallows hirundo rustica
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2017Co-Authors: Lela Khoriauli, Andrea Romano, Manuela Caprioli, Marco Santagostino, Solomon G Nergadze, Alessandra Costanzo, Diego Rubolini, Elena Giulotto, Nicola Saino, Marco ParoliniAbstract:The composition of breeding pairs can deviate from random, resulting in a positive association between homologous traits between mates. Assortative Mating can arise either as a by-product of constraints imposed on random pairing by variation in individual life histories or because of mutual sex preferences. Because individuals that prefer high-quality mates gain fitness advantages, mate choice should result in positive Assortative Mating for traits that are associated with individual quality. Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that function to maintain chromosome integrity. Telomeres shorten at each cell division, but the rate of shortening depends on exogenous and endogenous effects, including antioxidant defense mechanisms that reduce the negative impact of pro-oxidants on telomere length. Once a critical length is attained, cells enter either senescence or apoptosis, causing a decline in tissue renewal and ultimately in individual performance. Assortative Mating is therefore expected both for telomere length and for antioxidant defense because both males and females may accrue benefits from choosing a mate with long telomeres and efficient antioxidant defense. Consistent with this prediction, in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), we found a positive correlation between telomere length (RTL) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of social mates which was not the spurious result of age or breeding date. Because parents with relatively long telomeres produce offspring which also have relatively long telomeres, Assortative Mating seems to be adaptive. The evidence of Assortative Mating for telomere length and antioxidant capacity suggests that epigamic signals exist that reliably reflect these traits and may mediate mutual Mating preferences. Telomeres protect chromosome integrity but shorten at each cell division, impairing organismal functions. Because individuals vary in telomere length and rate of shortening, as well as in antioxidant defenses reducing the negative impact of pro-oxidants on telomeres, adaptive mate choice should result in Assortative Mating for telomere length and antioxidants. Consistent with this prediction, in barn swallows, telomere length and antioxidant capacity were positively correlated between social mates.
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Assortative Mating for telomere length and antioxidant capacity in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)
'Springer Science and Business Media LLC', 2017Co-Authors: Lela Khoriauli, Andrea Romano, Manuela Caprioli, Marco Santagostino, Solomon G Nergadze, Alessandra Costanzo, Diego Rubolini, Elena Giulotto, Nicola Saino, Marco ParoliniAbstract:The composition of breeding pairs can deviate from random, resulting in a positive association between homologous traits between mates. Assortative Mating can arise either as a by-product of constraints imposed on random pairing by variation in individual life histories or because of mutual sex preferences. Because individuals that prefer high-quality mates gain fitness advantages, mate choice should result in positive Assortative Mating for traits that are associated with individual quality. Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that function to maintain chromosome integrity. Telomeres shorten at each cell division, but the rate of shortening depends on exogenous and endogenous effects, including antioxidant defense mechanisms that reduce the negative impact of pro-oxidants on telomere length. Once a critical length is attained, cells enter either senescence or apoptosis, causing a decline in tissue renewal and ultimately in individual performance. Assortative Mating is therefore expected both for telomere length and for antioxidant defense because both males and females may accrue benefits from choosing a mate with long telomeres and efficient antioxidant defense. Consistent with this prediction, in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), we found a positive correlation between telomere length (RTL) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of social mates which was not the spurious result of age or breeding date. Because parents with relatively long telomeres produce offspring which also have relatively long telomeres, Assortative Mating seems to be adaptive. The evidence of Assortative Mating for telomere length and antioxidant capacity suggests that epigamic signals exist that reliably reflect these traits and may mediate mutual Mating preferences. Significance statement: Telomeres protect chromosome integrity but shorten at each cell division, impairing organismal functions. Because individuals vary in telomere length and rate of shortening, as well as in antioxidant defenses reducing the negative impact of pro-oxidants on telomeres, adaptive mate choice should result in Assortative Mating for telomere length and antioxidants. Consistent with this prediction, in barn swallows, telomere length and antioxidant capacity were positively correlated between social mates
