PAMELA A.F.
MADDEN, PH.D.
Research Instructor of Psychiatry
Research Interests
1) Genetic studies on nicotine use and dependence.
2) The relationship between genetic influences on smoking behavior, and
genetic factors responsible for the use and dependence on other substances
(using alcohol as a model system).
3) Genetic studies of possible mediators of genetic influence on cigarette
use and the development of dependence on nicotine and other substances;
such as, depression and anxiety disorder, adolescent conduct disorder, and
personality (e.g., Neuroticism and Novelty-Seeking).
Specific Research Activities
Presently I am working to develop a program of research to (1) better define
constructs (phenotypes) of smoking and nicotine dependence and to identify
potential mediators and environmental moderators of genetic influence for
use in genetic analysis of smoking behaviors, genetic association and nicotine
challenge studies; and (2) to examine substance-specificity of genetic influence.
Data Sets And Facilities
1988-89 an 8-year follow-up survey was conducted by mailed questionnaire
or abbreviated telephone interviews (over 6,000 individual twins) ((AA07535:
Heath and Martin, PIs).
1992-93 telephone assessment of alcohol dependence and major axis I disorders
(5,995 individual twins) (AA07535: Heath and Martin, PIs).
1993-95 telephone follow-up interview of twins at high-risk for alcoholism
(in progress) (which includes questions on lifetime smoking habits and nicotine
dependence) (AA07535: Heath and Martin, PIs).
1995-96 telephone follow-up interview (in progress) of control twins (Alcohol
Beverage and Medical Research Foundation, Madden PI).
Australian “1989 Cohort” Data-Sets: In 1990-92 additional data
were obtained by a mailed questionnaire survey of a new cohort of young
adult twin pairs born 1964-1971 (about 5,000 individual twins) (AA10249:
Heath & Martin PIs).
U.S.A., Virginian Twin Data-Set: Mailed questionnaire survey conducted 1985-1991
using twins from the Virginia population-based twin register (over 5,000
individual twins) (AA06781: Martin & Heath PIs).
New Swedish Twin Registry Data-Set: Questionnaire data from a nationwide
register derived from birth certificate information on Swedish like-sex
twin pairs born 1920-1958 (about 14,000 like-sex pairs).
Finnish Twin Registry Data-Set: Mailed questionnaire data from a nationwide
register derived from birth certificate information on Finnish like-sex
pairs born 1920-1958 (over 10,500 like-sex pairs).
SUN Workstation for conducting genetic analyses.
Key References
Madden PAF, Heath AC, Starmer GA, Whitfield JB, Martin NG: Alcohol sensitivity
and smoking history in men and women. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental
Research 1995; 19:1111-1120.
Madden PAF, Heath AC, Rosenthal NE, Martin NG: Seasonal changes in mood
and behavior. Archives of General Psychiatry 1995; 53:47-55.