Mental health researchers focus on interplay of nature, nurture

The debate over whether nature (genes) or nurture (environment) contributes more to mental and other disorders is moving toward how nature and nurture interact. A genetically predisposed person might be "resilient" and never develop a mental disorder, perhaps because of environmental factors, says The debate over whether nature (genes) or nurture (environment) contributes more to mental and other disorders is moving toward how nature and nurture interact. A genetically predisposed person might be "resilient" and never develop a mental disorder, perhaps because of environmental factors, says Stephen Glatt, PhD, Stephen Glatt, PhD, an associate professor of neuroscience and physiology at Upstate. Fast-moving research in this area is also examining whether environmentally acquired traits could then be passed on to one‘s children. Glatt is an associate professor of neuroscience and physiology at Upstate. Fast-moving research in this area is also examining whether environmentally acquired traits could then be passed on to one‘s children. Glatt is recruiting families with children ages 6 to 12 recruiting families with children ages 6 to 12 (both with and without mental health issues) for a (both with and without mental health issues) for a large genetic study large genetic study he is conducting.  he is conducting.