Events

TPRC Science to Service: Substance Abuse Prevention Seminar featuring Wendy Slutske

The Genetics of Disordered Gambling

Wendy S. Slutske, professor in the department of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, will present recent findings within the framework of an availability + susceptibility model of the risk for disordered gambling with a particular focus on susceptibility factors. She will present evidence that the genetic susceptibility for disordered gambling can be explained, in part, by genetically-influenced individual differences in the course of gambling involvement and also in variation in normal-range personality traits. Slutske will summarize the results of a recent preliminary genome-wide association study of a quantitative disordered gambling trait.

Slutske is considered the world’s leading expert on the behavioral genetics of gambling disorders and has been at the forefront of advancing research and understanding of gambling and other addictions. Her work on the all-male Vietnam Era Twin Study demonstrated that there are shared genetic factors that contribute to the risk for gambling disorders, alcohol use disorders, and antisocial behavior. When she replicated these findings to include women, she was the first to demonstrate that the "genetic architecture" for gambling disorders is similar in men and women.

Slutske has published more than 100 journal articles. Her research has been supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Chalk Award for Excellence in Graduate Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the 2011 Scientific Achievement Award from the National Center for Responsible Gaming.

Slutske received her B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin, a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and postdoctoral training in psychiatric epidemiology and biostatistics at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Parking for this event is available for a fee in the Bryan Center parking deck or the Science Drive visitor's lot. Directions and parking information.