The goal of this book is to provide a neurobehavioral context for the ever-growing list of single and multiple genes that play a role in brain structure and function. The chapters present strategies and techniques for the rigorous analysis of the genetic bases of brain and behavior, and discusses the practical and theoretical means to address these topics and provide the researcher with fine techniques for dissecting the genomic components of brain structure and behavioral function. This volume concentrates on techniques and approaches that have been largely developed with the house mouse, while providing a glimpse of genetic research with other species, such as the fruit fly, nematode worm and seaslug. Given the aim of doing genetic analysis of brain and behavior, this volume is an excellent overview of current techniques and recent innovations.

Molecular-Genetic and Statistical Techniques for Behavioral and Neural Research presents the most exciting molecular and recombinant DNA techniques used in the analysis of brain function and behavior, a critical piece of the puzzle for clinicians, scientists, course instructors and advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Chapters examine neuroinformatics, genetic and neurobehavioral databases and data mining, also providing an analysis of natural genetic variation and principles and applications of forward (mutagenesis) and reverse genetics (gene targeting). In addition, the book discusses gene expression and its role in brain function and behavior, along with ethical issues in the use of animals in genetics testing. Written and edited by leading international experts, this book provides a clear presentation of the frontiers of basic research as well as translationally relevant techniques that are used by neurobehavioral geneticists. - Focuses on new techniques, including electrocorticography, functional mapping, stereo EEG, motor evoked potentials, optical coherence tomography, magnetoencephalography, laser evoked potentials, transmagnetic stimulation, and motor evoked potentials - Presents the most exciting molecular and recombinant DNA techniques used in the analysis of brain function and behavior - Written and edited by leading international experts

The book gives a broad overview of recombinant DNA techniques for the behavioral neuroscientist, with illustrative examples of applications. Species covered include rodents (mainly mice), Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio. Experimental techniques required to characterize the behavioral phenotypes of mutant animals is provided. Several aspects of novel molecular-genetic techniques are overviewed and possible research strategies are explained. The sections of the book start with general descriptions of techniques followed by illustrative examples. It is divided into six sections. Section 1, bioinformatics and genomics research. Section 2, top-down strategies, where the researcher starts with the phenotype and then analyzes the associated genes; bottom-up strategies, where the physiological chain leading to a phenotype is analyzed starting from the gene product. Section 3, transgenic approaches in rodents including overexpressing foreign genes and gene-targeting; systemic manipulation approaches directly targeting the central nervous system and methods used with invertebrates. Section 4, methods used to evaluate relevant behavioral phenotypes, including learning and aggression. Section 5, examples on molecular brain research in man. Section 6, ethical aspects of research in this field.

Since the heyday of research on aggression in the late 1960s, developments in several varied areas had enabled us to take a new look at this important though difficult topic. Recent findings and sophisticated new techniques in behavior genetic analysis at the time had made it possible not only to enhance our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying aggressive behavior, but also to provide some reasonable suggestions as to the role of aggression in evolution. Originally published in 1983, there had been significant advances in genetic and neural research and a much more sophisticated and heuristic approach to the measurement and conceptualization of aggressive behavior had developed. The ten chapters in this volume provide a thorough overview of these new approaches and methodologies. There are also suggestions regarding the scope of future research on aggressive behavior, since much of what is presented describes the ongoing research activities of the contributors. This book is divided into four sections: The first provides a systematic foundation for research on aggression, and a description of some of the newer strategies for research in this area; the second concerns quantitative genetic analyses, selection data from both wild and laboratory populations, and situational determinants of aggressive behavior; the third section details new and exciting findings in neurochemical and neuropharmacological effects; and the last section contains a chapter that provides a summary and synthesis of all that has come before.

A complete background to concepts and principles of behavioral genetics, Neurobehavioral Genetics: Methods and Applications, Second Edition features a broad spectrum of the most current techniques in neurobehavioral genetics in a single source. International researchers incorporate several new developments in the field, including: De

Genes, Brain Function, and Behavior offers a concise description of the nervous system that processes sensory input and initiates motor movements. It reviews how behaviors are defined and measured, and how experts decide when a behavior is perturbed and in need of treatment. Behavioral disorders that are clearly related to a defect in a specific gene are reviewed, and the challenges of understanding complex traits such as intelligence, autism and schizophrenia that involve numerous genes and environmental factors are explored. New methods of altering genes offer hope for treating or even preventing difficulties that arise in our genes. This book explains what genes are, what they do in the nervous system, and how this impacts both brain function and behavior. - Presents essential background, facts, and terminology about genes, brain function, and behavior - Builds clear explanations on this solid foundation while minimizing technical jargon - Explores in depth several single-gene and chromosomal neurological disorders - Derives lessons from these clear examples and highlights key lessons in boxes - Examines the intricacies of complex traits that involve multiple genetic and environmental factors by applying lessons from simpler disorders - Explains diagnosis and definition - Includes a companion website with Powerpoint slides and images for each chapter for instructors and links to resources