About NIDA Genetics Workgroup

Evidence from adoption and twin studies and from animal models suggests that vulnerability to addiction has a moderate to high heritable component. The gene variants underlying increased vulnerability to addiction are unknown, but new advances in science and technology will facilitate the identification and characterization of these gene variants. Like many other psychiatric illnesses, drug abuse and dependence comprise a complex set of genetic disorders lacking a simple pattern of Mendelian inheritance. Multiple genes with relatively small effects are likely to influence vulnerability to addiction, gene x environment x development interactions appear to play significant roles in mediating outcomes, and there may be no simple correspondence between current phenotypes and the genotype(s). Therefore, a broad range of scientific approaches will be needed to elucidate the role and identity of genetic factors in drug abuse vulnerability.

The NIDA Genetics Workgroup is an Institute-wide group of NIDA staff involved in coordinating a variety of activities directed towards the enhancement of NIDA's grant portfolio in the following areas:

• Human genetics

• Population genetics

• Molecular genetics

• Genetic epidemiology

• Molecular epidemiology

• Satistical genetics

• Model genetic organisms

• Genes and development

• Pharmacogenetics

The workgroup strives to 1) develop avenues of research through program announcements and requests for applications, 2) sponsor seminars and speakers to inform NIDA of new areas in genetic research, and 3) develop staff knowledge in areas of genetics research as it pertains to NIDA's overall mission to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.

The elucidation of genetic factors as well as their interactions with behavioral, social, and physical environments and how they relate to specific phenotypes is a critical component in determining addiction vulnerabilities and will ultimately facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Contact:
Jonathan D. Pollock, Ph.D.
Chair, NIDA Genetics Workgroup
6001 Executive Drive, RM 4274
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel. 301-435-1309
Fax. 301-594-6043

NIDA Genetics Programs

•	Home Page
•	About Genetics Workgroup
•	Human Genetics Application Guidelines
•	NIDA Genetics News
•	NIDA Genetics Consortium
•	NIDA Recent Findings
•	NIDA Genetics Portfolio
•	NIDA Genetics Reports
•	NIDA Initiatives in Genetics
•	NIDA Meetings
•	NIDA Program Contacts

Resources for Genetics, Cell Biology, and Neuroscience

•	Calendar
•	Genetics Consortia
•	Human Genetics
•	Tissue and Cell Repositories
•	Twin Registry
•	Nucleotide
•	Gene Expression
•	Genomes
•	Proteins
•	Model Organisms
•	Mouse
•	Knowledgebase for Addiction Related Genes (KARG)
•	Cell Biology
•	Neuroscience Information Framework
•	Bibliographic Resources