Gene environment interplay: Nonhuman primate models in the study of resilience and vulnerability

Abstract

Identifying how individual differences in risk for disease emerge is a major target for biomedical research. In many cases, however, the most lightly traversed avenues of this type of basic and clinical research are those that begin with a focus on early development. It appears likely that early influences may be pivotal in lifetime risk of disease and other adverse outcomes. Nonetheless, understanding the constellation of interacting biological, experiential, social factors that influence this risk has proved a relatively elusive target. Better specification of routes of interplay between these factors, as well as definitions of the mechanisms by which they affect change, are essential goals for numerous research areas. Furthermore, progress towards these goals is unlikely without meaningful integration of diverse disciplines, among them biology and developmental science.

Resilience and Mental Health

“…Because resilience relating to positive adult experiences may stem from childhood protection against adversities, a life-span trajectory approach is needed to understand the constellation of interacting biological, psychological, social factors that determine, develop or modify resilience (Bennett, 2008). Also, because of the crucial importance of gene-environment interactions with various epigenetic, 'plasticity genes' and ‗meaning change' mechanisms relating to resilience, a wide range of research strategies spanning psychosocial and biological methods is needed.…”

Nonhuman Primate Research Contributions to Understanding Genetic and Environmental Influences on Phenotypic Outcomes across Development

“…The results of nonhuman primate studies have also begun to provoke closer attention and re-examination of specific aspects of the experimental models used to manipulate the environment (Bennett, 2008;Karere et al, 2009), as well as to parallels between them and the human conditions they are meant to model. Congruence between human and nonhuman primate studies suggest the need for further consideration of the specific features of the experimental manipulations shown to interact with genetic variation.…”

“…Studies aimed at uncovering routes of interplay between genetic, environmental, and biological variation in rhesus monkeys have an important foundation in previous research that can guide selection of specific phenotypes from the broad array of processes that are altered following differential early rearing experiences (Bennett, 2008). For example, as discussed above, differences both in serotonin turnover and in behavioral deficits linked to serotonergic function (Higley and Bennett, 1999;Higley and Linnoila, 1997;Higley, Linnoila, & Suomi, 1994) are evident between nursery-and mother-reared monkeys.…”

The Society-to-Cells Model of Resilience in Older Adults

“…The resulting transcription modifi cations and protein production result from factors such as environmental challenges and the sex of the individual. Epigenetic changes modify psychological and physiological responses to challenges and resilient capacity (Bennett, 2008). There is increasing evidence that the aging process relates to epigenetic changes and the negative sequale of aging through DNA methylation changes, resulting in greater risk for cancer, cognitive declines, and CVD (Gilbert 2009;Gravina & Vijg, 2010).…”