Kirk Wilhelmsen

The Wilhelmsen lab is engaged in the genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex neurological diseases and has been developing large-scale automated gene mapping technologies to facilitate these mapping efforts. They have invested heavily in automation that enables high-throughput genotyping and data processing. As data accumulates, this will enable parametric and nonparametric linkage analysis of large numbers of traits at regular intervals for the entire genome. The Wilhelmsen lab is applying these techniques to two projects: (1) the genetics of alcoholism and (2) positional cloning of the gene responsible for a family of disorders called frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17).

(1) Alcoholism
Genetic epidemiology has shown a heritable component to alcoholism, but it is not clear how many genes are involved, how these genes interact with each other, or how they are affected by the environment. The pattern and quantity of alcohol consumption also have a heritable component, but it is likely that there are fewer genetic and environmental factors that contribute to these more easily definable traits compared to the more global diagnosis of alcoholism. Mapping the genes for these simpler traits may be more tractable and could lead to the development of a more etiologically based framework for the definition of alcoholism. Additional information about this project can be found here.

(2) FTDP-17
In collaboration with a consortium of researchers, the Wilhelmsen lab has recently identified mutations in the tau gene that are linked to FTDP-17. The lab’s current research activity in this area is devoted to determining how tau mutations produce disease and what role tau plays in other neurodegenerative conditions. Future studies will include additional analysis of these mutations using mouse models.

Selected Publications:
Ehlers CL, Wall TL, Corey L, Lau P, Gilder DA, Wilhelmsen K. (2007) Heritability of illicit drug use and transition to dependence in Southwest California Indians. Psychiatr Genet. 17(3):171-176.

Ehlers CL, Slutske WS, Gilder DA, Lau P, Wilhelmsen KC. (2006) Age at first intoxication and alcohol use disorders in Southwest California Indians. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 30(11):1856-65.

Ehlers CL, Wilhelmsen KC. (2007) Genomic screen for substance dependence and body mass index in southwest California Indians. Genes Brain Behav. 6(2):184-91.

Ehlers CL, Wilhelmsen KC. (2006) Genomic screen for loci associated with tobacco usage in Mission Indians. BMC Med Genet. Feb 10;7:9.

Swan GE, Benowitz NL, Lessov CN, Jacob P 3rd, Tyndale RF, Wilhelmsen K. (2005) Nicotine metabolism: the impact of CYP2A6 on estimates of additive genetic influence. Pharmacogenet Genomics 15:115-25.

Ehlers CL, and Wilhelmsen KC. (2005) Genomic scan for alcohol craving in Mission Indians. Psychiatr Genet 15:71-75.




		The Wilhelmsen lab is engaged in the genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex neurological diseases and has been developing large-scale automated gene mapping technologies to facilitate these mapping efforts. They have invested heavily in automation that enables high-throughput genotyping and data processing. As data accumulates, this will enable parametric and nonparametric linkage analysis of large numbers of traits at regular intervals for the entire genome. The Wilhelmsen lab is applying these techniques to two projects: (1) the genetics of alcoholism and (2) positional cloning of the gene responsible for a family of disorders called frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). (1) Alcoholism Genetic epidemiology has shown a heritable component to alcoholism, but it is not clear how many genes are involved, how these genes interact with each other, or how they are affected by the environment. The pattern and quantity of alcohol consumption also have a heritable component, but it is likely that there are fewer genetic and environmental factors that contribute to these more easily definable traits compared to the more global diagnosis of alcoholism. Mapping the genes for these simpler traits may be more tractable and could lead to the development of a more etiologically based framework for the definition of alcoholism. Additional information about this project can be found here. (2) FTDP-17 In collaboration with a consortium of researchers, the Wilhelmsen lab has recently identified mutations in the tau gene that are linked to FTDP-17. The lab’s current research activity in this area is devoted to determining how tau mutations produce disease and what role tau plays in other neurodegenerative conditions. Future studies will include additional analysis of these mutations using mouse models. Selected Publications: Ehlers CL, Wall TL, Corey L, Lau P, Gilder DA, Wilhelmsen K. (2007) Heritability of illicit drug use and transition to dependence in Southwest California Indians. Psychiatr Genet. 17(3):171-176. Ehlers CL, Slutske WS, Gilder DA, Lau P, Wilhelmsen KC. (2006) Age at first intoxication and alcohol use disorders in Southwest California Indians. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 30(11):1856-65. Ehlers CL, Wilhelmsen KC. (2007) Genomic screen for substance dependence and body mass index in southwest California Indians. Genes Brain Behav. 6(2):184-91. Ehlers CL, Wilhelmsen KC. (2006) Genomic screen for loci associated with tobacco usage in Mission Indians. BMC Med Genet. Feb 10;7:9. Swan GE, Benowitz NL, Lessov CN, Jacob P 3rd, Tyndale RF, Wilhelmsen K. (2005) Nicotine metabolism: the impact of CYP2A6 on estimates of additive genetic influence. Pharmacogenet Genomics 15:115-25. Ehlers CL, and Wilhelmsen KC. (2005) Genomic scan for alcohol craving in Mission Indians. Psychiatr Genet 15:71-75.

	contact information: [phone] (919) 966-1373 [email] [website]