Translating Genetic Research into Preventive Intervention: The Baseline Target Moderated Mediator Design

Frontiers in Psychology

George W. Howe¹ 

关键词: prevention research;    genes;    gene-environment interaction;    research design;    moderation;    mediation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01911

学科分类：心理学（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

In this paper we present and discuss a novel research approach, the baseline target moderated mediation (BTMM) design, that holds substantial promise for advancing our understanding of how genetic research can inform prevention research. We first discuss how genetically informed research on developmental psychopathology can be used to identify potential intervention targets. We then describe the BTMM design, which employs moderated mediation within a longitudinal study to test whether baseline levels of intervention targets moderate the impact of the intervention on change in that target, and whether change in those targets mediates causal impact of preventive or treatment interventions on distal health outcomes. We next discuss how genetically informed BTMM designs can be applied to both microtrials and full-scale prevention trials. We use simulated data to illustrate a BTMM, and end with a discussion of some of the advantages and limitations of this approach.

【 授权许可】

CC BY