{"id":2949,"date":"2016-10-24T19:17:00","date_gmt":"2016-10-24T23:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/directory\/kirk-wilhelmsen-md-phd\/"},"modified":"2022-10-03T10:19:38","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T14:19:38","slug":"kirk-wilhelmsen-md-phd","status":"publish","type":"directory","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/directory\/kirk-wilhelmsen-md-phd\/","title":{"rendered":"Kirk Wilhelmsen, MD, PhD"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- description --><\/p>\n<h2>Research Interests<\/h2>\n<p><strong class=\"keywords\">Key words: genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex traits and the positional cloning of genes responsible for neurodegenerative disorders<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Wilhelmsen&#8217;s laboratory is engaged in the genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex traits such as addiction and the positional cloning of genes responsible for neurodegenerative disorders. Although his group has mapped the loci for many traits, Dr. Wilhelmsen&#8217;s original identification of linkage of the syndrome disinhibition-dementia-parkinsonism-amyotrophy complex (DDPAC) to 17q21-22 (now called FTDP-17) had a key role in setting the direction for his future research. His attraction to the DDPAC phenotype was the wide clinical spectrum of disease presentation (including dementia, motor neuron disease, parkinsonism, alcoholism and behaviors similar to schizophrenia) seen in individuals with the same mutation. Subsequently, mutations in the tau gene were shown to be responsible for most cases of FTDP-17. Dr. Wilhelmsen&#8217;s current research activity in this area is devoted to determining how tau mutations produce disease, and the positional cloning of mutations responsible for related disorders.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Wilhelmsen&#8217;s long-term interest is in the genetic dissection of complex traits. At UCSF, he established a clinical and laboratory program to identify addiction susceptibility genes. He moved to UNC in fall of 2004 to continue this work in the Department of Genetics and the Genome Center. There are few conditions where there is a genetic susceptibility that shows more complex interactions between genes and the environment than addiction. Using genetic epidemiology, it has been possible to show a heritable component to alcoholism, nicotine dependence and personality. These studies do not, however, allow us to infer how many genes are involved, how these genes interact with each other, or how the environment affects them. The Wilhelmsen group has been using linkage analysis to map susceptibility loci and determine the phenotype that segregates with the alternative alleles for these loci. By refining the phenotype, they hope to have more power to detect the causal sequence variations.<\/p>\n<p>To support the genotyping needs for their studies, Dr. Wilhelmsen&#8217;s laboratory developed highly automated large-scale genotyping (which is the currency of genetic analysis) and an informatics infrastructure for data handling and processing. They developed a system that could determine the genotypes of 815 evenly-spaced microsatellite markers (3 cM average spacing) for 10 people per day. Linkage analysis for four large-scale family based projects has been completed and loci have been identified for a series of addiction and personality related phenotypes.<\/p>\n<p>The next phase of their work is to use association analysis to identify the sequence variations that are responsible for addiction related behaviors. This work requires the genotyping and association analysis of thousands of simple sequence polymorphisms. A logical extension of this work is to develop the ability to perform genome-wide association analysis, which is being used to identify common sequence variations that affect susceptibility to neurodegeneration.<\/p>\n<h2>Publications<\/h2>\n<p class=\" \"><strong><span class=\"largeFont\"><a class=\"external-link\" title=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/sites\/entrez?Db=pubmed&amp;Cmd=DetailsSearch&amp;Term=Wilhelmsen,+Kirk%5BFull+Author+Name%5D\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PubMed Link<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Kirk Wilhelmsen in UNC Genetics News<\/h2>\n            <div class=\"wc-cards\"><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-june-29th-august-2nd-2025\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">August 8, 2025<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for June 29th &#8211; August 2nd, 2025<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 39 papers during June 29th - August 2nd 2025.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for June 29th &#8211; August 2nd, 2025\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-november-6th-19th-2022\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">November 20, 2022<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for November 6th \u2013 19th, 2022<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 11 papers during November 6th\u00a0\u2013 19th, 2022.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for November 6th \u2013 19th, 2022\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-march-27th-april-9th-2022\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">April 11, 2022<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications March 27th \u2013 April 9th, 2022<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 17 papers during March 27th\u00a0\u2013 April 9th, 2022.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications March 27th \u2013 April 9th, 2022\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-march-13th-26th-2022\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">March 28, 2022<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications March 13th \u2013 26th, 2022<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 11 papers during March 13th \u2013 26th 2022.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications March 13th \u2013 26th, 2022\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-november-28th-december-11th-2021\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">December 12, 2021<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications November 28th \u2013 December 11th, 2021<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 13 papers during November\u00a028th \u2013 December 11th, 2021.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications November 28th \u2013 December 11th, 2021\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-november-14th-27th-2021\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">November 29, 2021<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications November 14th \u2013 27th 2021<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 16 papers during November 14th \u2013 27th 2021.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications November 14th \u2013 27th 2021\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-october-3rd-16th-2021\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">October 18, 2021<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications October 3rd \u2013 16th 2021<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 11 papers during October 3rd \u2013 16th 2021.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications October 3rd \u2013 16th 2021\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-may-16-29-2021\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">May 29, 2021<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for May 16-29, 2021<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published nineteen papers during May 16-29, 2021.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for May 16-29, 2021\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-june-28-july-11-2020\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">July 13, 2020<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for June 28 \u2013 July 11, 2020<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published five papers during June 28 \u2013 July 11, 2020.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for June 28 \u2013 July 11, 2020\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-march-8-21-2020\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">March 23, 2020<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for March 8-21, 2020<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published twelve papers during March 8-21, 2020.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for March 8-21, 2020\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article>            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research Interests Key words: genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex traits and the positional cloning of genes responsible for neurodegenerative disorders Dr. Wilhelmsen&#8217;s laboratory is engaged in the genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex traits such as addiction and the positional cloning of genes responsible for neurodegenerative disorders. Although his group has mapped &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-march-8-21-2020\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for March 8-21, 2020\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2950,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2949","directory","type-directory","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Kirk Wilhelmsen, MD, PhD | Department of Genetics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/directory\/kirk-wilhelmsen-md-phd\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kirk Wilhelmsen, MD, PhD | Department of Genetics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Research Interests Key words: genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex traits and the positional cloning of genes responsible for neurodegenerative disorders Dr. Wilhelmsen&#8217;s laboratory is engaged in the genetic mapping of susceptibility loci for complex traits such as addiction and the positional cloning of genes responsible for neurodegenerative disorders. 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