Genetic-behavior-environmental interactions have a complex and significant impact on the structure and function of the brain, potentially reducing or increasing the risk of mental and neurological disorders. Current research often examines genetic, individual, and environmental factors in isolation, leaving the interaction effects of these variables on the brain and clinical outcomes underexplored. Therefore, our research question is: How do genetic-behavior-environmental interactions influence mental and neurological disorders by impacting the human brain.
Here, we have two primary goals. The first is to identify factors that significantly influence the risk of mental and neurological disorders. We will systemically examine the disease incidence in individuals with different lifestyles, living environments, and genetic phenotype. We hypothesize that protective factors such as physical exercise, higher education and social activity can deter the risk of disease; while risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, can increase the incidence of disease.
The second goal focuses on uncovering the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the relationships between influential factors and the risk of diseases. We hypothesize that protective factors may promote a state of higher brain health, whereas risk factors could lead to characteristics indicative of neural deficits, such as loss of gray and white matter and network disconnections. These factors reduce or increase the risk of developing disease by protecting or damaging the brain.
At the methodological level, genome-wide association approaches, Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM), connectivity analysis, and graph-based analysis, as well as multivariate models will be used to achieve our goals.
