Behavioral phenotypes: conceptual and methodological issues.

Journal article

Specific behavioral patterns associated with chromosomal and genetic disorders are being recognized more frequently. The hope is that the demonstration of a behavioral phenotype with a particular syndrome may lead to the isolation of the behavior's genetic determinants. Three issues are considered here: the problem of defining a behavioral phenotype, the difficulty of demonstrating the existence of a behavioral phenotype, and the likelihood of characterizing etiologically important genes. Although there are many impediments to success, the value of recognizing behavioral phenotypes within a diagnostic syndrome is emphasized, and examples are given of how this may lead to isolating behavioral genes.

Authors: Flint, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: American journal of medical genetics
• Volume: 81
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 235-240
• Publication date: 1998-05-01
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(19980508)81:3<235::aid-ajmg6>3.3.co;2-b
• EISSN: 1096-8628
• ISSN: 0148-7299
• Language: English
• Keywords: Autistic Disorder; Humans; Genetics, Behavioral; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Male; Sample Size; Aggression; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Williams Syndrome; Phenotype; Fragile X Syndrome; Child