An Information Theoretical Study of the Epistasis Between the CNR1 1359 G/A Polymorphism and the Taq1A and Taq1B DRD2 Polymorphisms: Assessing the Susceptibility to Cannabis Addiction in a Turkish Population.

Addiction is a complex, multi-factorial disease, and thus, analyzing genetic variants at multiple loci and gene-gene interactions among them (epistasis) can provide crucial clues about causative factors of addiction which cannot be detected with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association studies. In this study, we discuss the interaction between the 1359 G/A polymorphism of the CNR1 gene and the DRD2 gene polymorphisms and the net effect of any possible epistasis on the cannabis addiction phenotype in a Turkish population. Using bivariate synergy and mutual information concepts as a means of capturing the magnitude of interaction between marker pairs, the present study not only confirms the A1 marker allele as a risk factor but also reveals a finer-grained association between A and B markers which manifests itself both as a preventive and a risk factor.

Analysis of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene polymorphisms in cannabinoid addicts.

The gene encoding the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) has been suggested as a candidate gene for substance dependence. In this study, the possible association between Taq1A and Taq1B DRD2 polymorphisms and cannabinoid dependence was investigated. One hundred and twelve cannabinoid addicted and 130 healthy control subjects were included in this study.

Study: the lack of significant association of the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in violent offenders with mental retardation.

Little is known about criminality of cognitively impaired people and also there have been no reports on the relationship between catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) and committed Mental Retardation (MR) subjects. In the present study, the association between committed (violent offences) MR subjects and genetic variants of COMT were investigated by using polymerase chain reaction and based restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. During 6 years of follow-up, 36 violent offenders with mild MR were investigated.

Establishment of interdisciplinary child protection teams in Turkey 2002-2006: identifying the strongest link can make a difference!

Objectives: The University of Iowa Child Protection Program collaborated with Turkish professionals to develop a training program on child abuse and neglect during 2002-2006 with the goals of increasing professional awareness and number of multidisciplinary teams (MDT), regional collaborations, and assessed cases. This paper summarizes the 5-year outcome.

Methods: A team of instructors evaluated needs and held training activities in Turkey annually, and provided consultation when needed.

Role of family factors in adolescent delinquency in an Elazig/Turkey reformatory.

Family is one of the most important factors in the social and psychological progress of an adolescent. Social behavior disorders in childhood have been reported to be caused by many factors that may lead children to commit a crime. Our study included a total of 106 convicted adolescents from Eastern Turkey in a reformatory and 126 unconvicted adolescents with a similar socio-economic status.