Human Research Studies
Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study
The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded leading researchers in the fields of adolescent development and neuroscience to conduct this ambitious project. The ABCD Research Consortium consists of a Coordinating Center, a Data Analysis and Informatics Center, and 19 research sites across the country (see map), which will invite approximately 10,000 children ages 9-10 to join the study. Researchers will track their biological and behavioral development through adolescence into young adulthood.
Center for Antisocial Drug Dependence
Center for Antisocial Drug Dependence: Genetics: This Center was funded to study genetic influences on, and treatment of, antisocial drug dependence, under a NIDA (DA 11015) grant. We represent a collaborative effort across two campuses of the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, and the expertise of four research organizations.
ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Adoption Project
The purpose of the CAP is to study both nature and nurture, to determine the genetic predispositions as well as the environmental influences that contribute to traits such as intelligence, personality, and behavior.
ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan Behavioral Development and Cognitive Aging (CATSLife)
ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ and Minnesota Twin Study of Marijuana Legalization (COMN)
This project compares two twin samples that have been followed longitudinally for over 15 years since adolescence. One of these samples is from ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥, which legalized adult recreational marijuana use in 2014 and now has widespread commercial marijuana readily available to consumers. The other sample is from Minnesota, which in 2014 legalized medical marijuana, with very strict limits on access, but has not yet legalized recreational use.
CoTwins
The primary purpose of CoTwins is to use new technologies to understand adolescents, their development, and behavior.
ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Twin Registry
The ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Twin Registry (CTR) is a population-based registry housed at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics. Recruitment has been ongoing since 1968. Four samples construct the CTR: the Community Twin Sample (CTS), Infant Twin Sample (ITS), Longitudinal Twin Sample (LTS), and the Early Reading Development Sample (ERDS).
Specific Twin Studies
Summaries and links to current research studies we are conducting with twins and their families, categorized by study.
Studies of Executive Cognitive Functioning
Two twin studies at IBG are exploring the role of Executive Cognitive Functions (ECFs) as they relate to human development and behavior.
National Youth Survey Family Study
Started in 1976, this study has surveyed individuals representative of the national population to look at their changing attitudes, beliefs and behaviors about topics such as career goals, involvement with community and family, attitudes about violence, drugs, and social values.
The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth)
Add Health is a nationally representative study that explores the causes of health-related behaviors of adolescents in grades 7 through 12 and their outcomes in young adulthood. AddHealth seeks to examine how social contexts (families, friends, peers, schools, neighborhoods, and communities) influence adolescents' health and risk behaviors.
ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Learning Disabilities Research Center
Since 1973, researchers of the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Learning Disabilities Research Center (CLDRC) have been conducting research pertaining to the definition, etiology, and treatment of learning disabilities (LD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
We currently have several protocols available on-line, including IBG-Hvar1 & IBG-Hvar2, Serotonin Transporter Linked Polymorphic region, Dopamine D4 Receptor, Dopamine Transporter and Monoamine Oxidase A upstream VNTR.
Statistical Genetics Lab
We are using large, publicly available single nucleotide polymorphism datasets to elucidate the genetic architecture of complex traits, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, body mass index, and height.
The overall aim of the NCLGP is to explore the correlation between related languages and the genetic relationships of the Northern Cameroonian populations that speak them.
Enrollment of both fraternal and identical infant twins in ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ began in 1985 and continued for a period of 7 years. The purpose of this research is to study the varying genetic and environmental influences on development, including cognition, temperament, physical development, intelligence, and emotion.