1
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The Interaction between Serotonin Transporter Allelic Variation and Maternal Care Modulates Instagram Sociability in a Sample of Singaporean Users. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095348. [PMID: 35564743 PMCID: PMC9105050 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Human social interactions ensure recognition and approval from others, both in offline and online environments. This study applies a model from behavioral genetics on Instagram sociability to explore the impact of individual development on behavior on social networks. We hypothesize that sociable attitudes on Instagram resulted from an interaction between serotonin transporter gene alleles and the individual’s social relationship with caregivers. We assess the environmental and genetic components of 57 Instagram users. The self-report questionnaire Parental Bonding Instrument is adopted to determine the quality of parental bonding. The number of posts, followed users (“followings”), and followers are collected from Instagram as measures of online social activity. Additionally, the ratio between the number of followers and followings (“Social Desirability Index”) was calculated to estimate the asymmetry of each user’s social network. Finally, buccal mucosa cell samples were acquired, and the polymorphism rs25531 (T/T homozygotes vs. C-carriers) within the serotonin transporter gene was examined. In the preliminary analysis, we identified a gender effect on the number of followings. In addition, we specifically found a gene–environment interaction on the standardized Instagram “Social Desirability Index” in line with our predictions. Users with the genotype more sensitive to environmental influences (T/T homozygotes) showed a higher Instagram “Social Desirability Index” than nonsensitive ones (C-carriers) when they experienced positive maternal care. This result may contribute to understanding online social behavior from a gene*environment perspective.
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2
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Bergeman CS, Boker SM, Rose N, Bonanno GA, Seeman T. Integrative Science Approach to Resilience: The Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being (NDHWB). RESEARCH IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 2021; 18:1-17. [PMID: 34924879 DOI: 10.1080/15427609.2021.1964897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Although many studies have unequivocally demonstrated the promise of understanding resilience to adversity and characterizing the consequences if stress is unabated, needed are dynamic theories and methods to enhance the rigor and interpretation of these assessments. From a dynamic systems perspective, the focus is not whether an individual possesses some fixed ability or unchangeable trait, but rather to understand the flexibility and responsiveness of stress regulation systems to daily hassles and adverse life events. A renewed interest in individual variability allows researchers to see trajectories of change over both short- and long-time scales to understand the developmental course. As a result, it is possible to answer questions, such as, how does the dysregulation in emotion caused by stress, to both within and between daily affect processes, relate to longitudinal trajectories (over time-scales of years) of dysfunction and disease? The overarching goal of the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being is to detail the types and qualities of contextual influences, in conjunction with dynamic psychobiological systems, to assess the precursors, concomitant influences and consequences of stress and resilience in the face of adversity on cognitive, health and well-being outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - T Seeman
- University of California-Los Angeles
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3
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Kuhn L, Noack H, Skoluda N, Wagels L, Röhr AK, Schulte C, Eisenkolb S, Nieratschker V, Derntl B, Habel U. The association of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and the response to different stressors in healthy males. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1347-1359. [PMID: 34374855 PMCID: PMC8423678 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02390-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The experience of stress is related to individual wellbeing and vulnerability to psychopathology. Therefore, understanding the determinants of individual differences in stress reactivity is of great concern from a clinical perspective. The functional promotor polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR/rs25531) is such a factor, which has been linked to the acute stress response as well as the adverse effect of life stressors. In the present study, we compared the impact of two different stress induction protocols (Maastricht Acute Stress Test and ScanSTRESS) and the respective control conditions on affective ratings, salivary cortisol levels and cognitive performance. To this end, 156 healthy young males were tested and genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism. While combined physiological and psychological stress in the MAST led to a greater cortisol increase compared to control conditions as well as the psychosocial ScanSTRESS, subjective stress ratings were highest in the ScanSTRESS condition. Stress induction in general affected working memory capacity but not response inhibition. Subjective stress was also influenced by 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 genotype with the high expression group showing lower stress ratings than lower expression groups. In line with previous research, we identified the low expression variant of the serotonin transporter gene as a risk factor for increased stress reactivity. While some dimensions of the human stress response may be stressor specific, cognitive outcomes such as working memory performance are influenced by stress in general. Different pathways of stress processing and possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandra Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Hannes Noack
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Psychology of Adulthood, Faculty for Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Wagels
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Röhr
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christina Schulte
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sana Eisenkolb
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Lead Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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4
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Flasbeck V, Moser D, Pakusch J, Kumsta R, Brüne M. The association between childhood maltreatment and empathic perspective taking is moderated by the 5-HTT linked polymorphic region: Another example of "differential susceptibility". PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226737. [PMID: 31856211 PMCID: PMC6922468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has suggested that the short (S)-allele of the 5-HT transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may confer "differential susceptibility" to environmental impact with regard to the expression of personality traits, depressivity and impulsivity. However, little is known about the role of 5-HTTLPR concerning the association between childhood adversity and empathy. Here, we analyzed samples of 137 healthy participants and 142 individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) focusing on the 5-HTTLPR genotype (S/L-carrier) and A/G SNP (rs25531), in relation to childhood maltreatment and empathy traits. Whereas no between-group difference in 5-HTTLPR genotype distribution emerged, the S-allele selectively moderated the impact of childhood maltreatment on empathic perspective taking, whereby low scores in childhood trauma were associated with superior perspective taking. In contrast, L-homozygotes seemed to be largely unresponsive to variation in environmental conditions in relation to empathy, suggesting that the S-allele confers "differential susceptibility". Moreover, a moderation analysis and tests for differential susceptibility yielded similar results when transcriptional activity of the serotonin transporter gene was taken into account. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the S-allele of the 5-HTTLPR is responsive to early developmental contingencies for "better and worse", i.e. conferring genetic plasticity, especially with regard to processes involving emotional resonance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Flasbeck
- LWL University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Moser
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Johanna Pakusch
- Department of General Zoology and Neurobiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Robert Kumsta
- Department of Genetic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Brüne
- LWL University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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5
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Hastings WJ, Chang AM, Ebstein RP, Shalev I. Neuroendocrine stress response is moderated by sex and sex hormone receptor polymorphisms. Horm Behav 2018; 106:74-80. [PMID: 30300610 PMCID: PMC6324727 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sex hormones are significant regulators of stress reactivity, however, little is known about how genetic variation in hormone receptors contributes to this process. Here we report interactions between biological sex and repeat polymorphisms in genes encoding sex hormone receptors, and their effects on salivary cortisol reactivity in a sample of 100 participants (47 men & 53 women; 24.7 ± 3.23 years). Three genes were investigated: estrogen receptors alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2), and the androgen receptor (AR). Participants were classified as carrying 'Short' or 'Long' alleles based on median splits of the repeat distribution for each gene. Measures of physiological reactivity were collected before and after exposure to a canonical laboratory stressor and converted to traditional summary measures for analyses. Overall, men exhibited greater cortisol (p = 0.001) and mean arterial pressure reactivity (p = 0.002), while women displayed elevated heart rate throughout the session (p = 0.02). The effect of polymorphisms on salivary cortisol was sex sensitive. ESR1 was associated with differential reactivity in men (p = 0.04), but not women (p = 0.24). ESR2 genotype interacted with sex such that each additional 'Long' allele was associated with a 6.4% decrease in salivary cortisol in men, but a 9.5% increase in the levels of women (p = 0.02 for interaction). For the X-linked AR, the 'Long' allele was associated with decreased cortisol levels in men (p = 0.047), but in women had no effect (p = 0.75). Together, these results provide evidence for the saliency of genetic variation in sex hormone receptors on stress reactivity in humans and highlight their important role as mediators of hormonal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Hastings
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - A M Chang
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA
| | - R P Ebstein
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - I Shalev
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA.
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6
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van Dalfsen JH, Markus CR. The serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and cortisol stress responsiveness: preliminary evidence for a modulating role for sleep quality. Stress 2018; 21:503-510. [PMID: 29790822 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2018.1475472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The short (S) allele of a functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) is found to predispose the risk for stress-related affective disorders relative to the long (L) allele. Evidence suggests that elevated stress reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis might underlie this association although there is little understanding about the origin of inconsistent findings. Since inadequate sleep is commonly known to promote HPA stress reactivity, it might well play an important modulating role. The present study tested this hypothesis by investigating whether sleep quality moderates the relationship between 5-HTTLPR and cortisol stress responsiveness. From a large 5-HTTLPR database (n = 771), a sample of healthy male and female participants homozygous for either the 5-HTTLPR S-allele (n = 25) or L-allele (n = 25) were assessed for sleep quality and salivary cortisol secretion during acute laboratory stress. Diminished sleep quality was found to exclusively potentiate cortisol stress reactivity in the homozygous L-allele genotype. Accounting for this 5-HTTLPR-dependent influence enhanced the predictive value of 5-HTTLPR on cortisol stress responsiveness, revealing greater HPA reactivity in S-allele relative to L-allele carriers. Current findings suggest that variations in sleep quality may serve as a confounding factor in the search for genetic differences in stress sensitivity and related affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens H van Dalfsen
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - C Rob Markus
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
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7
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Modulation of glucocorticoids by the serotonin transporter polymorphism: A narrative review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 92:338-349. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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8
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Aleknaviciute J, Tulen JHM, de Rijke YB, van der Kroeg M, Kooiman CG, Kushner SA. The 5-HTTLPR genotype, early life adversity and cortisol responsivity to psychosocial stress in women. BJPsych Open 2018; 4:180-185. [PMID: 29988976 PMCID: PMC6034461 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2018.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has previously been associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function. Moreover, it has been suggested that this association is moderated by an interaction with stressful life experiences. AIMS To investigate the moderation of cortisol response to psychosocial stress by 5-HTTLPR genotype, either directly or through an interaction with early life stress. METHOD A total of 151 women, 85 of which had personality psychopathology, performed the Trier Social Stress Test while cortisol responsivity was assessed. RESULTS The results demonstrate a main effect of genotype on cortisol responsivity. Women carrying two copies of the long version of 5-HTTLPR exhibited stronger cortisol responses to psychosocial stress than women with at least one copy of the short allele (P = 0.03). However, the proportion of the variance of stress-induced cortisol responsivity explained by 5-HTTLPR genotype was not further strengthened by including early life adversity as a moderating factor (P = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the need to clarify gender-specific biological factors influencing the serotonergic system. Furthermore, our results suggest that childhood maltreatment, specifically during the first 15 years of life, is unlikely to exert a moderating influence of large effect on the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR genotype and cortisol responsivity to psychosocial stress. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurate Aleknaviciute
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joke H. M. Tulen
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda B. de Rijke
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark van der Kroeg
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis G. Kooiman
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands and Mental Health Clinic De Viersprong, The Netherlands
| | - Steven A. Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Polygenic risk score of SERPINA6/SERPINA1 associates with diurnal and stress-induced HPA axis activity in children. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 93:1-7. [PMID: 29679879 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) transports glucocorticoids in blood. Variation in genes SERPINA6 encoding for CBG, SERPINA2 and SERPINA1 (serpin family A member 6, 2, and 1) have been shown to influence morning plasma cortisol and CBG in adults. However, association of this genetic variation with diurnal and stress-induced salivary cortisol remain unknown. This study aims to investigate the effect of genetic variation in SERPINA6/2/1 loci on diurnal and stress-induced salivary cortisol in children. METHODS We studied 186, 8-year-old children with genome-wide genotyping. We generated weighted polygenic risk score (PRS) based on 6 genome-wide significant SNPs (rs11621961, rs11629171, rs7161521, rs2749527, rs3762132, rs4900229) derived from the CORNET meta-analyses. Salivary cortisol was measured across one day and in response to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C). RESULTS Mixed models, adjusted for covariates, showed that the PRS x sampling time interactions associated with diurnal (P < 0.001) and stress-induced (P = 0.009) salivary cortisol. In the high PRS group (dichotomized at median) the diurnal salivary cortisol pattern decreased less from awakening to bedtime than in the low PRS group (standardized estimates of sampling time -0.64 vs. -0.73, P < 0.0001 for both estimates). In response to stress, salivary cortisol increased in the high PRS group while it remained unchanged in the low PRS group (standardized estimates of sampling time 0.12, P = 0.015 vs. -0.06, P = 0.16). These results were mainly driven by minor alleles of rs7161521 (SERPINA6) and rs4900229 (SERPINA1). CONCLUSIONS Genetic variation in SERPINA6/2/1loci may underpin higher hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity in children.
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10
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Klaus K, Butler K, Gutierrez H, Durrant SJ, Pennington K. Interactive effects of early life stress and CACNA1C genotype on cortisol awakening response. Biol Psychol 2018; 136:22-28. [PMID: 29733866 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The rs1006737 (A/G) single nucleotide polymorphism within the gene encoding the Cav1.2 subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNA1C) has been strongly implicated in psychiatric disorders. In addition, calcium channels are sensitive to the effects of glucocorticoids and functional variation may contribute to altered stress responsivity. This study aimed to investigate the role of early life stress (ELS) and its interaction with CACNA1C rs1006737 in affecting the cortisol awakening response (CAR), an indicator of HPA-axis function. Salivary cortisol was measured in 103 healthy adult males (aged 21-63) on two consecutive days at awakening and 30 min later. The ELS measure investigated self-reported adverse life events prior to age 17. The results revealed a marginally significant main effect of CACNA1C, a significant main effect of ELS, and a significant genotype-by-ELS interaction on the CAR, whereby non-risk allele carriers (GG) who had experienced early adversity showed higher CAR compared to the other groups. Further exploratory analyses showed that this interaction may have arisen from individuals who had experienced ELS before adolescence (prior to age 13). This study is the first to provide evidence that the effect of ELS on CAR may be partially moderated via CACNA1C rs1006737 genotype, whereby the heightened CAR in the GG-ELS group may be an indicator of mental health resilience in response to ELS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Klaus
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Wharf, Lincoln, LN5 7AT, UK
| | - K Butler
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Wharf, Lincoln, LN5 7AT, UK
| | - H Gutierrez
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN7 6TS, UK
| | - S J Durrant
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Wharf, Lincoln, LN5 7AT, UK
| | - K Pennington
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Wharf, Lincoln, LN5 7AT, UK.
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11
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Rampp C, Eichelkraut A, Best J, Czamara D, Rex-Haffner M, Uhr M, Binder EB, Menke A. Sex-related differential response to dexamethasone in endocrine and immune measures in depressed in-patients and healthy controls. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 98:107-115. [PMID: 29331929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Although sex differences in major depression have been reported repeatedly, the underlying mechanisms are still disputed. The rapidly changing gonadal steroid concentrations of the postpartum period or during menopause have been shown to be associated with depressive symptoms and to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, which is implicated in depression. The sample comprised of 128 depressed in-patients (36.7% women) and 166 healthy controls (30.0% women). Blood was collected at baseline (at 6pm) and then 3 h as well as 21 h after ingestion of 1.5 mg dexamethasone for measurement of cortisol, ACTH and blood count. To further assess the function of the HPA-axis the dexamethasone/corticotrophin releasing hormone (Dex-CRH) test was performed in a subsample of 115 patients and 116 controls the following day. A significant interaction effect between sex, disease and ACTH concentrations over time after dexamethasone stimulation was observed, with men showing increased ACTH concentrations at baseline and after 21 h, while there was no difference after 3 h (p = .007). After separating for disease status this significant interaction effect was only observed in controls (p = .005). The cortisol response in the dex-CRH test was enhanced in female compared to male controls (p = .002). Leucocytes showed a stronger increase upon dexamethasone administration only in female compared to male controls (p = .023). These findings suggest a higher glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity following in-vivo glucocorticoid stimulation in healthy women that was absent in depressed patients. The sex-related differences in HPA-axis regulation and immune system function may contribute to the vulnerability of female sex to the development of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Rampp
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Andreas Eichelkraut
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Johanna Best
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Monika Rex-Haffner
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Manfred Uhr
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, Munich, 80804, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30307, USA
| | - Andreas Menke
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Margarete-Hoeppel-Platz 1, Wuerzburg, 97080, Germany; Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Wuerzburg, 97080, Germany.
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12
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Comasco E, Rangmar J, Eriksson UJ, Oreland L. Neurological and neuropsychological effects of low and moderate prenatal alcohol exposure. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 222. [PMID: 28470828 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Several explanations for the diverse results in research on foetal alcohol spectrum disorders or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder might be at hand: timing, amount and patterns of alcohol exposure, as well as complex epigenetic responses. The genetic background of the offspring and its interaction with other prenatal and post-natal environmental cues are likely also of importance. In the present report, key findings about the possible effects of low and moderate doses of maternal alcohol intake on the neuropsychological development of the offspring are reviewed and plausible mechanisms discussed. Special focus is put on the serotonergic system within developmental and gene-environment frameworks. The review also suggests guidelines for future studies and also summarizes some of to-be-answered questions of relevance to clinical practice. Contradictory findings and paucity of studies on the effects of exposure to low alcohol levels during foetal life for the offspring's neuropsychological development call for large prospective studies, as well as for studies including neuroimaging and multi-omics analyses to dissect the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol exposure-related phenotypes and to identify biomarkers. Finally, it remains to be investigated whether any safe threshold of alcohol drinking during pregnancy can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - J. Rangmar
- Department of Psychology; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - U. J. Eriksson
- Department of Medical Cell Biology; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - L. Oreland
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
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13
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Perry LM, Goldstein-Piekarski AN, Williams LM. Sex differences modulating serotonergic polymorphisms implicated in the mechanistic pathways of risk for depression and related disorders. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:737-762. [PMID: 27870440 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite consistent observations of sex differences in depression and related emotional disorders, we do not yet know how these sex differences modulate the effects of genetic polymorphisms implicated in risk for these disorders. This Mini-Review focuses on genetic polymorphisms of the serotonergic system to illustrate how sex differences might modulate the neurobiological pathways involved in the development of depression. We consider the interacting role of environmental factors such as early-life stress. Given limited current knowledge about this topic, we highlight methodological considerations, challenges, and guidelines for future research. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- LeeAnn M Perry
- Neurosciences Program, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Andrea N Goldstein-Piekarski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.,Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
| | - Leanne M Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.,Sierra-Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California
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14
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McIlwrick S, Pohl T, Chen A, Touma C. Late-Onset Cognitive Impairments after Early-Life Stress Are Shaped by Inherited Differences in Stress Reactivity. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:9. [PMID: 28261058 PMCID: PMC5306385 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) has been associated with lasting cognitive impairments and with an increased risk for affective disorders. A dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s main stress response system, is critically involved in mediating these long-term consequences of adverse early-life experience. It remains unclear to what extent an inherited predisposition for HPA axis sensitivity or resilience influences the relationship between ELS and cognitive impairments, and which neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms may be involved. To investigate this, we exposed animals of the stress reactivity mouse model, consisting of three independent lines selectively bred for high (HR), intermediate (IR), or low (LR) HPA axis reactivity to a stressor, to ELS and assessed their cognitive performance, neuroendocrine function and hippocampal gene expression in early and in late adulthood. Our results show that HR animals that were exposed to ELS exhibited an HPA axis hyper-reactivity in early and late adulthood, associated with cognitive impairments in hippocampus-dependent tasks, as well as molecular changes in transcript levels involved in the regulation of HPA axis activity (Crh) and in neurotrophic action (Bdnf). In contrast, LR animals showed intact cognitive function across adulthood, with no change in stress reactivity. Intriguingly, LR animals that were exposed to ELS even showed significant signs of enhanced cognitive performance in late adulthood, which may be related to late-onset changes observed in the expression of Crh and Crhr1 in the dorsal hippocampus of these animals. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the lasting consequences of ELS at the level of cognition differ as a function of inherited predispositions and suggest that an innate tendency for low stress reactivity may be protective against late-onset cognitive impairments after ELS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silja McIlwrick
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Pohl
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry Munich, Germany
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunich, Germany; Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot, Israel
| | - Chadi Touma
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of PsychiatryMunich, Germany; Department of Behavioural Biology, University of OsnabrückOsnabrück, Germany
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15
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The G allele in IL-10-1082 G/A may have a role in lowering the susceptibility to panic disorder in female patients. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2016; 28:357-361. [PMID: 27264274 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2016.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune system activation is involved in the pathophysiology of panic disorder (PD). We investigated INF-γ+874 A/T, TNF-α-308 G/A, and IL-10-1082 G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine their association with PD. METHOD This study enroled 135 PD patients and 135 healthy controls. INF-γ+874 A/T (rs2430561), TNF-α-308 G/A (rs1800629), and IL-10-1082 G/A (rs1800896) were genotyped. RESULTS There were no differences in genotypes or allele frequencies between the patient and control groups, regardless of accompanying agoraphobia. However, for female patients, the G allele frequency in IL-10 SNP was higher in the control group than in the patient group. Additionally, the female control group had a higher frequency of the A/G and G/G genotype in the IL-10 SNP than the female patient group. CONCLUSION We suggest that the G allele in IL-10-1082 G/A might have a role in reducing the manifestations of PD in female patients. Further studies are needed to extend and confirm our findings.
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16
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Li-Tempel T, Larra MF, Winnikes U, Tempel T, DeRijk RH, Schulz A, Schächinger H, Meyer J, Schote AB. Polymorphisms of genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis influence the cortisol awakening response as well as self-perceived stress. Biol Psychol 2016; 119:112-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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17
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Stressing over anxiety: A novel interaction of 5-HTTPLR genotype and anxiety-related phenotypes in older adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 71:36-42. [PMID: 27235638 PMCID: PMC4955748 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Variation within the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTPLR) contributes to individual differences in trait neuroticism and increases risk for the development of psychopathology in the context of stressful life events. The underlying mechanisms may involve dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the release of stress-related hormones. Yet, observed effects are small, possibly because they occur against the background of many other, mostly unknown, genetic and environmental variables. In this study, we removed much of the variance contributed by such background factors by including complex trait and behavioral measures in our analyses, to isolate the unique contributions of 5-HTTLPR genotype to cortisol baseline, reactivity, and recovery during the Trier Social Stress Test. We recruited 82 community-dwelling older adults (55 and older), an under-studied population, and measured salivary cortisol levels at baseline and following the TSST. As a comparison group we also recruited 88 younger adults (males only, 18-51 years old). Neuroticism, trait anxiety, perceived stress levels, and early childhood trauma experiences were measured using self-report questionnaires. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a latent anxiety trait. Cortisol baseline levels were significantly elevated in older adult S-allele carriers (but not in LL-homozygotes) who scored higher on the latent anxiety trait, relative to S-allele carriers. No such differences were found among younger adults, nor amongst measures obtained during the reactivity or recovery periods. These results highlight the utility of taking into account background variables that may otherwise obscure associations between genetic variables and endophenotypes.
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18
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Ennis GE, Moffat SD, Hertzog C. The cortisol awakening response and cognition across the adult lifespan. Brain Cogn 2016; 105:66-77. [PMID: 27105036 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although the hippocampus is thought to play a central role in the regulation of the cortisol awakening response (CAR), results from past studies examining the relationship between the CAR and hippocampal-mediated memory and cognition have been mixed. Inconsistent findings may be due to the use of cortisol samples collected on only 1-2days since reduced sampling can permit unstable situational factors to bias results. We used cortisol assessments from 10 consecutive days to test the relationship of the CAR to episodic memory, working memory, and processing speed in a sample of healthy young, middle-aged, and older adults (age range: 23-79years; N=56). We tested if the relationship between the CAR and cognition would depend upon age and also tested if other cortisol measures, specifically waking cortisol, diurnal cortisol output (i.e., area under the curve) and diurnal cortisol slope (linear and quadratic), would be related to cognition. We found that a more positive CAR slope was related to better episodic memory and that this relationship did not depend upon age. The CAR was not significantly related to working memory. The relationship of the CAR to processing speed was not significant when using a CAR measure that corrected for non-compliant cortisol sampling. We also found that higher waking cortisol was significantly related to better working memory, but not episodic memory or processing speed. Neither diurnal cortisol output nor diurnal linear cortisol slope was significantly related to cognitive functioning. Future work should investigate the mechanisms underpinning the relationship of the cortisol awakening process to cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda E Ennis
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Psychology, 654 Cherry Street, Atlanta, GA 30332-0170, United States.
| | - Scott D Moffat
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Psychology, 654 Cherry Street, Atlanta, GA 30332-0170, United States.
| | - Christopher Hertzog
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Psychology, 654 Cherry Street, Atlanta, GA 30332-0170, United States.
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Ouellet-Morin I, Brendgen M, Girard A, Lupien SJ, Dionne G, Vitaro F, Boivin M. Evidence of a unique and common genetic etiology between the CAR and the remaining part of the diurnal cycle: A study of 14 year-old twins. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 66:91-100. [PMID: 26799852 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION By and large, studies have reported moderate contributions of genetic factors to cortisol secreted in the early morning and even smaller estimates later in the day. In contrast, the cortisol awakening response (CAR) has shown much stronger heritability estimates, which prompted the hypothesis that the etiology of cortisol secretion may vary according to the time of day. A direct test of this possibility has, however, not yet been performed. OBJECTIVE To describe the specific and common etiology of the CAR, awakening level and cortisol change from morning to evening in an age-homogenous sample of twin adolescents. METHODS A total of 592 participants of the Québec Newborn Twin Study, a population-based 1995-1998 cohort of families with twins in Canada, have collected saliva at awakening, 30 min later, at the end of afternoon and in the evening over four collection days. RESULTS Multivariate Cholesky models showed both specific and common sources of variance between the CAR, awakening and cortisol diurnal change. The CAR had the strongest heritability estimates, which, for the most part, did not overlap with the other indicators. Conversely, similar magnitudes of genetic and environmental contributions were detected at awakening and for diurnal change, which partially overlapped. CONCLUSION Our study unraveled differences between the latent etiologies of the CAR and the rest of the diurnal cycle, which may contribute to identify regulatory genes and environments and detangle how these indicators each relate to physical and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Ouellet-Morin
- School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Mara Brendgen
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec a Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alain Girard
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sonia J Lupien
- Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada; Department Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- Department of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada; School of Psychoéducation, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- Department of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, Canada; Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological, and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Russian Federation
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20
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Gressier F, Calati R, Serretti A. 5-HTTLPR and gender differences in affective disorders: A systematic review. J Affect Disord 2016; 190:193-207. [PMID: 26519640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) variants have been extensively studied in psychiatric disorders. Although gender effects have been reported, they have not been comprehensively reviewed. The aim of our study was to summarize literature findings on 5-HTTLPR and gender differences in affective disorders. METHODS A systematic search of PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and PsycINFO databases was performed for dates until January 2015. The included articles (n=78) analyzed the association between 5-HTTLPR and affective spectrum disorders, taking into account gender. The quality of each study was assessed through STROBE and CONSORT. RESULTS 5-HTTLPR modulation of affective disorders varied by gender. The S allele (or SS genotype) seemed to be differently associated with an increased risk of depression, depressive symptoms, anxiety traits and symptoms, and symptoms of internalizing behavior among women and an increased risk of aggressiveness, conduct disorder and symptom counts of externalizing behavior among men. Moreover, the presence of stressful life events reinforced the association. Interestingly, these differences seemed to begin with adolescence and were not consistent among the elderly, suggesting a plausible role of hormonal fluctuations. LIMITATIONS The review is limited by the small number of included papers, due to the paucity of information in the literature regarding 5-HTTLPR and gender. CONCLUSIONS 5-HTTLPR variants may exert a differential modulation on a number of features depending on gender. Further studies are needed to more deeply investigate the effect of 5-HTTLPR×gender on the modulation of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gressier
- INSERM UMR 1178, Univ Paris Sud, Department of Psychiatry, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Bicêtre University Hospital, 78 rue du Général Leclerc, 94275 Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
| | - R Calati
- INSERM U1061, University of Montpellier, FondaMental Foundation, Montpellier, France
| | - A Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, Viale Carlo Pepoli 5, 40123 Bologna, Italy
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Taylor MK, Carpenter J, Stone M, Hernandez LM, Rauh MJ, Laurent HK, Granger DA. Genetic and environmental modulation of neurotrophic and anabolic stress response: Counterbalancing forces. Physiol Behav 2015; 151:1-8. [PMID: 26136163 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The serotonin transporter genetic variant 5HTTLPR influences activation and feedback control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and has been shown to influence the effect of stressful life events on behavioral health. We recently reported that 5HTTLPR modulates cortisol response in healthy military men exposed to intense stress. Less is known of its combined effects with environmental factors in this context, or of its effect on neuroprotective stress responses. In this follow-up study, we examined the unique and combined effects of 5HTTLPR and prior trauma exposure on neuroprotective (salivary nerve growth factor [sNGF]), anabolic (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS] and testosterone), and catabolic (cortisol) stress responses. Ninety-three healthy, active-duty military men were studied before, during, and 24h after a stressful 12-day survival course. Distinct and interactive effects of 5HTTLPR long allele carriage [L] versus homozygous short allele carriage [SS]) and prior trauma exposure (low versus high) were evaluated, after which a priori group comparisons were performed between hypothesized high resilience (L/low) and low resilience (SS/high) groups. For sNGF, L/low produced the greatest sNGF throughout stress exposure while SS/high demonstrated the smallest; L/high and SS/low bisected these two extremes and were nearly identical to each other (i.e., SS/high < SS/low = L/high < L/low). Thus, 5HTTLPR and prior trauma exposure demonstrated counterbalancing (additive) forces. Similar patterns were found for DHEAS. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report counterbalancing genetic and environmental effects on novel biomarkers related to resilience in humans exposed to real-world stress. These findings have profound implications for health, performance and training in high-stress occupational settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus K Taylor
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, USA; School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, ENS Building Room 351, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, USA; Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, 550 E. Orange Street, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Jennifer Carpenter
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, USA; School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, ENS Building Room 351, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Michael Stone
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, USA; School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, ENS Building Room 351, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Lisa M Hernandez
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, USA; School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, ENS Building Room 351, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Mitchell J Rauh
- Biobehavioral Sciences Lab, Warfighter Performance Department, Naval Health Research Center, 140 Sylvester Road, San Diego, CA, USA; School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, ENS Building Room 351, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Heidemarie K Laurent
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, 550 E. Orange Street, Tempe, AZ, USA; Department of Psychology, 1227 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Douglas A Granger
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, 550 E. Orange Street, Tempe, AZ, USA; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Bloomberg School of Public Health, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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22
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Waters RP, Rivalan M, Bangasser DA, Deussing JM, Ising M, Wood SK, Holsboer F, Summers CH. Evidence for the role of corticotropin-releasing factor in major depressive disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 58:63-78. [PMID: 26271720 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a devastating disease affecting over 300 million people worldwide, and costing an estimated 380 billion Euros in lost productivity and health care in the European Union alone. Although a wealth of research has been directed toward understanding and treating MDD, still no therapy has proved to be consistently and reliably effective in interrupting the symptoms of this disease. Recent clinical and preclinical studies, using genetic screening and transgenic rodents, respectively, suggest a major role of the CRF1 gene, and the central expression of CRF1 receptor protein in determining an individual's risk of developing MDD. This gene is widely expressed in brain tissue, and regulates an organism's immediate and long-term responses to social and environmental stressors, which are primary contributors to MDD. This review presents the current state of knowledge on CRF physiology, and how it may influence the occurrence of symptoms associated with MDD. Additionally, this review presents findings from multiple laboratories that were presented as part of a symposium on this topic at the annual 2014 meeting of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS). The ideas and data presented in this review demonstrate the great progress that has been made over the past few decades in our understanding of MDD, and provide a pathway forward toward developing novel treatments and detection methods for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - J M Deussing
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M Ising
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - S K Wood
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - F Holsboer
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; HMNC GmbH, Munich, Germany
| | - Cliff H Summers
- University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA; Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD, USA.
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23
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Genetic moderation of the association between adolescent romantic involvement and depression: Contributions of serotonin transporter gene polymorphism, chronic stress, and family discord. Dev Psychopathol 2015; 28:447-57. [PMID: 26037034 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579415000498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Studies support a link between adolescent romantic involvement and depression. Adolescent romantic relationships may increase depression risk by introducing chronic stress, and genetic vulnerability to stress reactivity/emotion dysregulation may moderate these associations. We tested genetic moderation of longitudinal associations between adolescent romantic involvement and later depressive symptoms by a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region gene (5-HTTLPR) and examined contributory roles of chronic stress and family discord. Three hundred eighty-one youth participated at ages 15 and 20. The results indicated that 5-HTTLPR moderated the association between age 15 romantic involvement and age 20 depressive symptoms, with strongest effects for short homozygotes. Conditional process analysis revealed that chronic stress functioned as a moderated mediator of this association, fully accounting for the romantic involvement-depression link among short/short genotypes. Also, romantic involvement predicted later depressive symptoms most strongly among short-allele carriers with high family discord. The results have important implications for understanding the romantic involvement-depression link and the behavioral and emotional correlates of the 5-HTTLPR genotype.
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24
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He Z, Payne EK, Mukherjee B, Lee S, Smith JA, Ware EB, Sánchez BN, Seeman TE, Kardia SLR, Diez Roux AV. Association between Stress Response Genes and Features of Diurnal Cortisol Curves in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis: A New Multi-Phenotype Approach for Gene-Based Association Tests. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126637. [PMID: 25993632 PMCID: PMC4439141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hormone cortisol is likely to be a key mediator of the stress response that influences multiple physiologic systems that are involved in common chronic disease, including the cardiovascular system, the immune system, and metabolism. In this paper, a candidate gene approach was used to investigate genetic contributions to variability in multiple correlated features of the daily cortisol profile in a sample of European Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). We proposed and applied a new gene-level multiple-phenotype analysis and carried out a meta-analysis to combine the ethnicity specific results. This new analysis, instead of a more routine single marker-single phenotype approach identified a significant association between one gene (ADRB2) and cortisol features (meta-analysis p-value=0.0025), which was not identified by three other commonly used existing analytic strategies: 1. Single marker association tests involving each single cortisol feature separately; 2. Single marker association tests jointly testing for multiple cortisol features; 3. Gene-level association tests separately carried out for each single cortisol feature. The analytic strategies presented consider different hypotheses regarding genotype-phenotype association and imply different costs of multiple testing. The proposed gene-level analysis integrating multiple cortisol features across multiple ethnic groups provides new insights into the gene-cortisol association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihuai He
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Erin K. Payne
- Life Sciences Program, Northrop Grumman Health Division, McLean, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Seunggeun Lee
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Erin B. Ware
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Brisa N. Sánchez
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Teresa E. Seeman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Sharon L. R. Kardia
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Ana V. Diez Roux
- Department of Epidemiology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, United States of America
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25
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Xue L, Li C, Wang Y, Sun W, Ma C, He Y, Yu Y, Cai L, Wang L. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in non-coding region of the glucocorticoid receptor gene and prednisone response in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2015; 56:1704-9. [PMID: 25644744 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2014.951848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Poor prednisone response predicts an inferior outcome in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) treatment protocols. Here, we investigated five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in both the coding and non-coding regions of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene, and analyzed their association with prednisone responsiveness in vivo in 63 pediatric patients with ALL in China. Of the five SNPs, the rs41423247 and rs7701443 polymorphisms were significantly associated with prednisone response at the allelic level (rs41423247 odds ratio [OR] = 9.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-74.21; p = 0.01; rs7701443 OR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.08-9; p = 0.02). Two polymorphisms (rs6189/6190 and rs6198) were not observed in the study cohort. Haplotypes composed of CCC alleles and TCG alleles at three loci (rs7701443, Tth111I and BclI) were both associated with prednisone response (p = 0.013; p = 0.028). Our results suggested that polymorphisms in the non-coding region of the GR gene were associated with prednisone response in vivo in pediatric ALL in Han Chinese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xue
- Department of Childhood Hematology and Oncology
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26
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Marcinkiewcz CA, Devine DP. Modulation of OCT3 expression by stress, and antidepressant-like activity of decynium-22 in an animal model of depression. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 131:33-41. [PMID: 25597272 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The organic cation transporter-3 (OCT3) is a glucocorticoid-sensitive uptake mechanism that has been shown to regulate the bioavailability of monoamines in brain regions that are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. In the present study, the relative impacts of acute stress alone and acute stress with a history of repeated stress (chronic+acute) were evaluated in two strains of rats: the stress-vulnerable Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) strain and the somewhat more stress-resilient Long-Evans (LE) strain. OCT3 mRNA was significantly upregulated in the hippocampus of LE rats 2h after exposure to acute restraint stress, but not in acutely-restrained rats with a history of repeated social defeat stress. WKY rats exhibited a very different pattern. OCT3 mRNA was unaffected by acute restraint stress alone but was robustly upregulated after repeated+acute stress. There was also a corresponding increase in cytosolic OCT3 protein following repeated+acute stress in WKY rats 3h after presentation of the acute stressor. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that altered expression of the OCT3 may play a role in stress coping, and strain differences in regulation of this expression may contribute to differences in physiological and behavioral responses to stress. Furthermore, the OCT3 inhibitor, decynium 22 (1 and 10μg/kg, i.p.) reduced immobility of WKY rats, but not that of LE rats, in the forced swim test, suggesting that blockade of the OCT3 has antidepressant-like effects. Since WKY rats also appear to be resistant to the behavioral effects of traditional antidepressants, this also suggests that OCT3 antagonism may be an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of depression in individuals who do not respond to conventional antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Marcinkiewcz
- University of Florida, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL 32610-0015, USA
| | - D P Devine
- University of Florida, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville, FL 32610-0015, USA; University of Florida, Department of Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Gainesville, FL 32611-2250, USA.
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27
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The Association of 5-HTTLPR XLL Genotype with Higher Cortisol Levels in African Americans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1155/2015/123159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variants of the human serotonin transporter (SERT) may contribute to HPA axis dysregulation. SERT has two promoter region polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR: VNTR and SNP: rs25531), which may alter levels of SERT protein and its function. Combining these polymorphisms creates a functional polymorphism (FN) which may modulate mRNA expression. This study examines the relationship between these genetic variants and morning and evening salivary samples of both cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations in 269 African American (AA) adults. Resultant allele frequencies for the VNTR, SNP, and FN genotypes were 70% L (2% XLL), 84% A, and 54% LA (2% XLLA), respectively. The XLL genotype was associated with significantly higher concentrations of cortisol (~3X) and DHEAS (~2X) for both VNTR and FN polymorphisms. No significant differences were found for SNP genotypes. Conclusions were that persons with VNTR and FN XLL polymorphisms had significantly higher cortisol and DHEAS concentrations than other genotypes. AAs also appear to have a higher frequency of the rare XL allele than Caucasians. Whether the XLL genotype predisposes AAs to greater health challenges will require further research to determine the implications of these findings.
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VanZomeren-Dohm AA, Pitula CE, Koss KJ, Thomas K, Gunnar MR. FKBP5 moderation of depressive symptoms in peer victimized, post-institutionalized children. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 51:426-30. [PMID: 25462914 PMCID: PMC4268402 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine whether FKBP5 rs1360780 moderates relations between different forms of life stress/adversity (early institutional rearing and peer victimization) and depressive symptoms in adolescents. As reported previously, PI youth were at risk for being victimized by peers. Here, victimization was associated with elevated depressive symptoms. While FKBP5 did not moderate the association between early life adversity and depressive symptoms for either sex, it moderated the association between current adversity and depressive symptoms for victimized girls carrying the minor allele. Consistent with a differential susceptibility model, girls with the minor allele exhibited more depressive symptoms at higher levels of victimization, but fewer depressive symptoms at lower levels of victimization. Interestingly, boys with the CC genotype had higher rates of depressive symptoms compared to girls with the CC genotype in the context of heightened victimization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clio E. Pitula
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Kalsea J. Koss
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Kathleen Thomas
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Megan R. Gunnar
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55455
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29
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Du X, Pang TY. Is Dysregulation of the HPA-Axis a Core Pathophysiology Mediating Co-Morbid Depression in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:32. [PMID: 25806005 PMCID: PMC4353372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of prodromal manifestation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). These affective symptoms may be observed many years before the core diagnostic symptoms of the neurological condition. It is becoming more apparent that depression is a significant modifying factor of the trajectory of disease progression and even treatment outcomes. It is therefore crucial that we understand the potential pathophysiologies related to the primary condition, which could contribute to the development of depression. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis is a key neuroendocrine signaling system involved in physiological homeostasis and stress response. Disturbances of this system lead to severe hormonal imbalances, and the majority of such patients also present with behavioral deficits and/or mood disorders. Dysregulation of the HPA-axis is also strongly implicated in the pathology of major depressive disorder. Consistent with this, antidepressant drugs, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to alter HPA-axis activity. In this review, we will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding HPA-axis pathology in Alzheimer's, PD and HD, differentiating between prodromal and later stages of disease progression when evidence is available. Both clinical and preclinical evidence will be examined, but we highlight animal model studies as being particularly useful for uncovering novel mechanisms of pathology related to co-morbid mood disorders. Finally, we purpose utilizing the preclinical evidence to better inform prospective, intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Du
- Mental Health Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Terence Y Pang
- Behavioural Neurosciences Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
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30
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Markus CR, Jonkman LM, Capello A, Leinders S, Hüsch F. Sucrose preload reduces snacking after mild mental stress in healthy participants as a function of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter gene promoter polymorphism. Stress 2015; 18:149-59. [PMID: 25423193 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2014.990880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) dysfunction is considered to promote food intake and eating-related disturbances, especially under stress or negative mood. Vulnerability for 5-HT disturbances is considered to be genetically determined, including a short (S) allele polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) that is associated with lower serotonin function. Since 5-HT function may be slightly increased by carbohydrate consumption, S-allele 5-HTTLPR carriers in particular may benefit from a sugar-preload due to their enhanced 5-HT vulnerability. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a sugar-containing preload may reduce appetite and energy intake after exposure to stress to induce negative mood, depending on genetic 5-HT vulnerability. From a population of 771 healthy young male and female genotyped college students 31 S/S carriers (8 males, 23 females) and 26 long allele (L/L) carriers (9 males, 17 females) (mean ± S.D. 22 ± 1.6 years; body mass index, BMI, 18-33 kg/m(2)) were monitored for changes in appetite and snacking behavior after stress exposure. Results revealed an increased energy intake after mild mental stress (negative mood) mainly for high-fat sweet foods, which was significantly greater in S/S carriers, and only in these genotypes this intake was significantly reduced by a sucrose-containing preload. Although alternative explanations are possible, it is suggested that S/S participants may have enhanced brain (hypothalamic) 5-HT responsiveness to food that makes them more susceptible to the beneficial satiation effects of a sucrose-preload as well as to the negative effects of mild mental stress on weight gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Rob Markus
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience and
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31
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Qin D, Rizak J, Feng X, Yang S, Yang L, Fan X, Lü L, Chen L, Hu X. Cortisol responses to chronic stress in adult macaques: moderation by a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene. Behav Brain Res 2014; 278:280-5. [PMID: 25311283 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has shown that a polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) moderates the association between stress and depressive symptoms. However, the exact etiologies underlying this moderation are not well understood. Here it is reported that among adult female rhesus macaques, an orthologous polymorphism (rh5-HTTLPR) exerted an influence on cortisol responses to chronic stress. It was found that females with two copies of the short allele were associated with increased cortisol responses to chronic stress in comparison to their counterparts who have one or two copies of the long allele. In the absence of stress, no differences related to genotype were observed in these females. This genetic moderation was found without a genetic influence on exposure to stressful situations. Rather it was found to be a genetic modulation of cortisol responses to chronic stress. These findings indicate that the rh5-HTTLPR polymorphism is closely related to hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity, which may increase susceptibility to depression in females with low serotonin transporter efficiency and a history of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Qin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Joshua Rizak
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Shangchuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Lichuan Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaona Fan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Longbao Lü
- Kunming Primate Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China
| | - Lin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xintian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China; Kunming Primate Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, Yunnan, China.
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32
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Alexander N, Wankerl M, Hennig J, Miller R, Zänkert S, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Stalder T, Kirschbaum C. DNA methylation profiles within the serotonin transporter gene moderate the association of 5-HTTLPR and cortisol stress reactivity. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e443. [PMID: 25226552 PMCID: PMC4203016 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has been implicated in moderating vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology upon exposure to environmental adversity. A recent meta-analysis suggests a potential biological pathway conveying genotype-dependent stress sensitivity by demonstrating a small, but significant association of 5-HTTLPR and cortisol stress reactivity. An arguably more potent approach to detect larger effects when investigating the 5-HTTLPR stress sensitivity hypothesis is to account for both genetic and epigenetic variation in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4). Here, we applied this approach in an experimental setting. Two hundred healthy adults were exposed to a laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test) and cortisol response patterns were assessed as a function of 5-HTTLPR and DNA methylation profiles in SLC6A4. Specifically, we analyzed 83 CpG sites within a 799-bp promoter-associated CpG island of SLC6A4 using a highly sensitive bisulfite pyrosequencing method. Our results suggest that SLC6A4 methylation levels significantly moderate the association of 5-HTTLPR and cortisol stress reactivity. For individuals displaying low levels of SLC6A4 methylation, the S allele relates to increased cortisol stress reactivity in a dose-dependent fashion accounting for 7-9% of the variance in the endocrine stress response. By contrast, no such effect occurred under conditions of high SLC6A4 methylation, indicating that epigenetic changes may compensate for genotype-dependent differences in stress sensitivity. Studying epigenetic markers may advance gene-environment interaction research on 5-HTTLPR as they possibly capture the net effects of environmental influences relevant for stress-related phenotypes under serotonergic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Alexander
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 19, 01062 Dresden, Germany. E-mail:
| | - M Wankerl
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - J Hennig
- Center for Psychobiology and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Psychology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - R Miller
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - S Zänkert
- Department of Medical Psychology, Psychological Diagnostics and Research Methods, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - T Stalder
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - C Kirschbaum
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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33
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van der Doelen RHA, Deschamps W, D'Annibale C, Peeters D, Wevers RA, Zelena D, Homberg JR, Kozicz T. Early life adversity and serotonin transporter gene variation interact at the level of the adrenal gland to affect the adult hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e409. [PMID: 25004389 PMCID: PMC4119224 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The short allelic variant of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) promoter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has been associated with the etiology of major depression by interaction with early life stress (ELS). Furthermore, 5-HTTLPR has been associated with abnormal functioning of the stress-responsive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Here, we examined if, and at what level, the HPA-axis is affected in an animal model for ELS × 5-HTTLPR interactions. Heterozygous and homozygous 5-HTT knockout rats and their wild-type littermates were exposed daily at postnatal days 2-14 to 3 h of maternal separation. When grown to adulthood, plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and the major rat glucocorticoid, corticosterone (CORT), were measured. Furthermore, the gene expression of key HPA-axis players at the level of the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands was assessed. No 5-HTT genotype × ELS interaction effects on gene expression were observed at the level of the hypothalamus or pituitary. However, we found significant 5-HTT genotype × ELS interaction effects for plasma CORT levels and adrenal mRNA levels of the ACTH receptor, such that 5-HTT deficiency was associated under control conditions with increased, but after ELS with decreased basal HPA-axis activity. With the use of an in vitro adrenal assay, naïve 5-HTT knockout rats were furthermore shown to display increased adrenal ACTH sensitivity. Therefore, we conclude that basal HPA-axis activity is affected by the interaction of 5-HTT genotype and ELS, and is programmed, within the axis itself, predominantly at the level of the adrenal gland. This study therefore emphasizes the importance of the adrenal gland for HPA-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H A van der Doelen
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands,Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands,Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 21 (route 126), 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands. E-mail:
| | - W Deschamps
- Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - C D'Annibale
- Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - D Peeters
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands,Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R A Wevers
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - D Zelena
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - J R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - T Kozicz
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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34
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Diurnal cortisol rhythms in youth from risky families: effects of cumulative risk exposure and variation in the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) [corrected]. Dev Psychopathol 2014; 26:999-1019. [PMID: 24955777 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579414000558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Building on research on cumulative risk and psychopathology, this study examines how cumulative risk exposure is associated with altered diurnal cortisol rhythms in an ethnically diverse, low-income sample of youth. In addition, consistent with a diathesis-stress perspective, this study explores whether the effect of environmental risk is moderated by allelic variation in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR). Results show that youth with greater cumulative risk exposure had flatter diurnal cortisol slopes, regardless of 5-HTTLPR genotype. However, the association of cumulative risk with average cortisol output (area under the curve [AUC]) was moderated by the 5-HTTLPR genotype. Among youth homozygous for the long allele, greater cumulative risk exposure was associated with lower cortisol AUC, driven by significant reductions in cortisol levels at waking. In contrast, there was a trend-level association between greater cumulative risk and higher cortisol AUC among youth carrying the short allele, driven by a trend-level increase in bedtime cortisol levels. Findings are discussed with regard to the relevance of dysregulated diurnal cortisol rhythms for the development of psychopathology and the implications of genetically mediated differences in psychophysiological adaptations to stress.
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35
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Banducci AN, Gomes M, MacPherson L, Lejuez CW, Potenza MN, Gelernter J, Amstadter AB. A Preliminary Examination of the Relationship Between the 5-HTTLPR and Childhood Emotional Abuse on Depressive Symptoms in 10-12-Year-Old Youth. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY 2014; 6:1-7. [PMID: 24932352 DOI: 10.1037/a0031121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Childhood emotional abuse (CEA) is a pervasive problem associated with negative sequelae such as elevated depressive symptoms. Key stress-related genes, such as the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, interact with childhood abuse to produce elevated depressive symptoms in older adolescent girls, but not in older adolescent boys. To date, studies have not examined this relationship as a function of CEA specifically or among younger adolescents. To extend prior work, we examined the effects of the 5-HTTLPR and CEA on depressive symptoms among 10-12-year-old youth. Based on previous findings, we expected a main effect of CEA on depressive symptoms among all youth, but only expected an interactive effect between the 5-HTTLPR and CEA on depressive symptoms in girls. In the current study, 222 youth (mean age 11.02 years, 44.1% girls, 51.6% Caucasian, 33.0% African American, 2.7% Latino, and 12.7% other) and their parent(s)/guardian(s) completed the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Emotional Abuse subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and provided saliva samples for genotyping the 5-HTTLPR. Results indicate that CEA, but not the 5-HTTLPR, was related to elevated depressive symptoms among boys. Among girls, each copy of the s allele of the 5-HTTLPR was related to increased depressive symptoms, but only for those who had experienced CEA. Our results extend prior findings by specifically examining CEA and by focusing on 10-12-year-old youth. These results, although preliminary, suggest that focusing on the interplay between putative genetic markers and a broader range of environmental events, such as CEA, might allow researchers to determine factors differentially influencing the later emergence of sex differences in depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne N Banducci
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland College Park
| | - Melissa Gomes
- Department of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | | | - C W Lejuez
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland College Park
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, and Child Study Center, Yale University
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Departments of Psychiatry, Genetics, and Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine
| | - Ananda B Amstadter
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University
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36
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Strüber N, Strüber D, Roth G. Impact of early adversity on glucocorticoid regulation and later mental disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 38:17-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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37
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Nardi B, Marini A, Turchi C, Arimatea E, Tagliabracci A, Bellantuono C. Role of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in the development of the inward/outward personality organization: a genetic association study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82192. [PMID: 24358153 PMCID: PMC3864855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reciprocity with primary caregivers affects subjects' adaptive abilities toward the construction of the most useful personal meaning organization (PMO) with respect to their developmental environment. Within cognitive theory the post-rationalist approach has outlined two basic categories of identity construction and of regulation of cognitive and emotional processes: the Outward and the Inward PMO. The presence of different, consistent clinical patterns in Inward and Outward subjects is paralleled by differences in cerebral activation during emotional tasks on fMRI and by different expression of some polymorphisms in serotonin pathways. Since several lines of evidence support a role for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in mediating individual susceptibility to environmental emotional stimuli, this study was conducted to investigate its influence in the development of the Inward/Outward PMO. PMO was assessed and the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism investigated in 124 healthy subjects who were subdivided into an Inward (n = 52) and an Outward (n = 72) group. Case-control comparisons of short allele (S) frequencies showed significant differences between Inwards and Outwards (p = 0.036, χ2 test; p = 0.026, exact test). Genotype frequencies were not significantly different although values slightly exceeded p≤0.05 (p = 0.056, χ2 test; p = 0.059, exact test). Analysis of the 5-HTTLPR genotypes according to the recessive inheritance model showed that the S/S genotype increased the likelihood of developing an Outward PMO (p = 0.0178, χ2 test; p = 0.0143, exact test; OR = 3.43, CI (95%) = 1.188–9.925). A logistic regression analysis confirmed the association between short allele and S/S genotypes with the Outward PMO also when gender and age were considered. However none of the differences remained significant after correction for multiple testing, even though using the recessive model they approach significance. Overall our data seem to suggest a putative genetic basis for interindividual differences in PMO development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Nardi
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marini
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Chiara Turchi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Emidio Arimatea
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Adriano Tagliabracci
- Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Cesario Bellantuono
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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38
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Allen AP, Kennedy PJ, Cryan JF, Dinan TG, Clarke G. Biological and psychological markers of stress in humans: focus on the Trier Social Stress Test. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 38:94-124. [PMID: 24239854 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Validated biological and psychological markers of acute stress in humans are an important tool in translational research. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), involving public interview and mental arithmetic performance, is among the most popular methods of inducing acute stress in experimental settings, and reliably increases hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation. However, although much research has focused on HPA axis activity, the TSST also affects the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system, the immune system, cardiovascular outputs, gastric function and cognition. We critically assess the utility of different biological and psychological markers, with guidance for future research, and discuss factors which can moderate TSST effects. We outline the effects of the TSST in stress-related disorders, and if these responses can be abrogated by pharmacological and psychological treatments. Modified TSST protocols are discussed, and the TSST is compared to alternative methods of inducing acute stress. Our analysis suggests that multiple readouts are necessary to derive maximum information; this strategy will enhance our understanding of the psychobiology of stress and provide the means to assess novel therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Allen
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul J Kennedy
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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39
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Tribouilloy C, Maréchaux S, Jobic Y, Jeu A, Ederhy S, Donal E, Réant P, Arnalsteen E, Boulanger J, Garban T, Ennezat PV, Andréjak M, Rusinaru D. Frequency of drug-induced valvular heart disease in patients previously exposd to benfluorex: a multicentre prospective study. Eur Heart J 2013; 34:3580-7. [PMID: 24014218 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The epidemiologic link between benfluorex use and an increased global frequency of left heart valve regurgitation has been well documented. However, no data linking previous drug exposure to the frequency of diagnosis of drug-induced valvular heart disease (DI-VHD) are available. The present study was conducted to address this issue. METHODS AND RESULTS This echocardiography reader-blinded, controlled study conducted in 10 centres between February 2010 and February 2012 prospectively included 835 subjects previously exposed to benfluorex referred by primary care physicians for echocardiography. Based on blinded off-line analysis, echocardiography findings were classified as: (i) DI-VHD⁺ for patients with an echocardiographic diagnosis of DI-VHD, (ii) inconclusive, and (iii) DI-VHD⁻ for patients without signs of DI-VHD. Fifty-seven (6.8%) patients exposed to benfluorex were classified as DI-VHD⁺, 733 (87.8%) patients were classified as DI-VHD⁻, and 45 (5.4%) were classified as inconclusive. Mitral and aortic DI-VHD were reported in 43 patients (5.1%) and 30 (3.6%) patients, respectively. Longer duration of exposure, female gender, smoking, and lower BMI were independently associated with a diagnosis of DI-VHD. Good inter-observer reproducibility was observed for the echocardiography classification (Kappa = 0.83, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS About 7% of patients without a history of heart valve disease previously exposed to benfluorex present echocardiography features of DI-VHD. Further studies are needed to study the natural history of DI-VHD and to identify risk factors for the development of drug-induced valve lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Tribouilloy
- Pôle cardiovasculaire et thoracique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens, Amiens, France
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The serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and cortisol stress reactivity: a meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2013; 18:1018-24. [PMID: 22945032 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2012.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Revised: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent meta-analyses have stimulated an active debate on whether the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with an elevated vulnerability to psychiatric diseases upon exposure to environmental adversity. As a potential mechanism explaining genotype-dependent differences in stress sensitivity, altered stress-induced activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been investigated in several experimental studies, with most of these studies comprising small samples. We evaluated the association of 5-HTTLPR genotype and cortisol reactivity to acute psychosocial stress by applying a meta-analytical technique based on eleven relevant data sets (total N=1686), which were identified through a systematic literature search up to October 2011. This meta-analysis indicates a small (d=0.27), but significant association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and HPA-axis reactivity to acute psychosocial stress with homozygous carriers of the S allele displaying increased cortisol reactivity compared with individuals with the S/L and L/L genotype. The latter association was not further moderated by participants' age, sex or the type of stressor. Formal testing revealed no evidence for a substantial selection or publication bias. Our meta-analytical results are consistent with a wide variety of experimental studies indicating a significant association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and intermediate phenotypes related to stress sensitivity. Future studies are needed to clarify the consistency of this effect and to further explore whether altered HPA-axis stress reactivity reflects a potential biological mechanism conveying an elevated risk for the development of stress-related disorders in S allele carriers.
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Cerasa A, Quattrone A, Piras F, Mangone G, Magariello A, Fagioli S, Girardi P, Muglia M, Caltagirone C, Spalletta G. 5-HTTLPR, anxiety and gender interaction moderates right amygdala volume in healthy subjects. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2013; 9:1537-45. [PMID: 23986266 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nst144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants within the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) impact the neurobiology and risk for anxiety-related behaviours. There are also gender differences in the prevalence of anxiety-related behaviours. Although numerous studies have investigated the influence of 5-HTTLPR genotype on the neural systems involved in emotional regulation, none have investigated how these effects are modulated by gender and anxiety. We investigated this issue using two complementary region of interest-based structural neuroimaging approaches (voxel-based morphometry and Freesurfer) in 138 healthy individuals categorized into 'no anxiety' and 'subclinical anxiety' groups based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A). Preliminarily, using anxiety as a continuous variable, we found a significant interaction effect of genotype by gender on anxiety. Females homozygous for the Short allele showed the highest HAM-A scores and males the lowest. In addition, a three-way significant interaction among genotype, gender and anxiety category was found for the right amygdala volume. Post hoc tests revealed that homozygous females carrying the Short variant with a subclinical anxiety condition had larger volume. The reported interaction effects demonstrate that gender strongly modulates the relationship between 5-HTTLPR genotype and subclinical expression of anxiety acting on amygdala, one region of the emotional neural network specifically involved in the anxiety-like behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cerasa
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Quattrone
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Piras
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Graziella Mangone
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Magariello
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Fagioli
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Girardi
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Muglia
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Spalletta
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Institute of Neurology, University 'Magna Graecia', 88100 - Catanzaro, Neuropsychiatry Laboratory and Clinical and Behavioural Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina, 306 - 00179 - Rome, Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, 88100 - Catanzaro, Ne.S.M.O.S. Department, 'Sapienza' University, II Faculty of Medicine, 00189 - Rome and Department of Neuroscience, Tor 'Vergata' University, 00133 - Rome, Italy
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Boys' serotonin transporter genotype affects maternal behavior through self-control: a case of evocative gene-environment correlation. Dev Psychopathol 2013; 25:151-62. [PMID: 23398759 DOI: 10.1017/s095457941200096x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Self-control, involving processes such as delaying gratification, concentrating, planning, following instructions, and adapting emotions and behavior to situational requirements and social norms, may have a profound impact on children's adjustment. The importance of self-control suggests that parents are likely to modify their parenting based on children's ability for self-control. We study the effect of children's self-control, a trait partially molded by genetics, on their mothers' parenting, a process of evocative gene-environment correlation. Israeli 3.5-year-old twins (N = 320) participated in a lab session in which their mothers' parenting was observed. DNA was available from most children (N = 228). Mothers described children's self-control in a questionnaire. Boys were lower in self-control and received less positive parenting from their mothers, in comparison with girls. For boys, and not for girls, the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region gene predicted mothers' levels of positive parenting, an effect mediated by boys' self-control. The implications of this evocative gene-environment correlation and the observed sex differences are discussed.
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Ming QS, Zhang Y, Chai QL, Chen HY, Hou CJ, Wang MC, Wang YP, Cai L, Zhu XZ, Yi JY, Yao SQ. Interaction between a serotonin transporter gene promoter region polymorphism and stress predicts depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents: a multi-wave longitudinal study. BMC Psychiatry 2013; 13:142. [PMID: 23683292 PMCID: PMC3666904 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-13-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene may play an important role in the onset and development of mental disorders. Past studies have tested whether a functional polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) moderated the association between stress and depressive symptoms, but the results of these studies were inconsistent. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and stress that predict depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents. METHODS A total of 252 healthy adolescents (131 females and 121 males, aged from 14 to 18, mean = 16.00, standard deviation = 0.60) participated in this study. During the initial assessment, all participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Adolescent Life Events Questionnaire (ALEQ) and were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Participants subsequently completed CES-D and ALEQ once every three months during the subsequent 24 months. A multilevel model was used to investigate the 5-HTTLPR × stress interaction in predicting depressive symptoms. RESULTS The results indicated no main effect of 5-HTTLPR and a significant 5-HTTLPR × stress interaction in females only. Females with at least one 5-HTTLPR S allele exhibited more depressive symptoms under stressful situations. No significant 5-HTTLPR × stress interaction was found in males. CONCLUSIONS In Chinese adolescents, there are gender differences on the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and stress that predict depressive symptoms. The association between stress and depressive symptoms is moderated by 5-HTTLPR in Chinese female adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-sen Ming
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Qiao-lian Chai
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Hai-yan Chen
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Chan-juan Hou
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Meng-cheng Wang
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Yu-ping Wang
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Lin Cai
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Xiong-zhao Zhu
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Jin-yao Yi
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
| | - Shu-qiao Yao
- Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China,Hunan Province Technology, Institute of Psychiatry, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China
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Mahon PB, Zandi PP, Potash JB, Nestadt G, Wand GS. Genetic association of FKBP5 and CRHR1 with cortisol response to acute psychosocial stress in healthy adults. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 227:231-41. [PMID: 23274505 PMCID: PMC3628278 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2956-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Chronic dysregulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity is related to several neuropsychiatric disorders. Studies suggest that cortisol response to stress has a strong genetic etiology, and that FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) and G-protein coupled type-I CRH receptor (CRHR1) are key proteins regulating response. Variations in the genes encoding these proteins, FKBP5 and CRHR1, have been associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVES We examined variation in these genes in relation to cortisol response to psychological stress in one of the largest Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) cohorts yet examined. METHODS A total of 368 healthy, young adults underwent the TSST. Salivary cortisol was measured at multiple time points before and after the stressor. Nine variants in FKBP5 and four in CRHR1 were assessed. Single marker analyses were conducted. Secondary analyses assessed haplotypes and interaction with stress-related variables. RESULTS The strongest association was for rs4713902 in FKBP5 with baseline cortisol (p dom = 0.0004). We also identified a male-specific effect of FKBP5 polymorphisms on peak response and response area under the curve (p = 0.0028 for rs3800374). In CRHR1, rs7209436, rs110402, and rs242924 were nominally associated with peak response (p rec = 0.0029-0.0047). We observed interactions between trait anxiety and rs7209436 and rs110402 in CRHR1 in association with baseline cortisol (p LRT = 0.0272 and p LRT = 0.0483, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We show association of variants in FKBP5 and CRHR1 with cortisol response to psychosocial stress. These variants were previously shown to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. These findings have implications for interindividual variation in HPA axis activity and potentially for the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Belmonte Mahon
- The Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, Baltimore, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Peter P. Zandi
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, The Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, Baltimore, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Gerald Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Gary S. Wand
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 863, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Tel.: 410 955 7225 Fax: 410 955 0841
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Frokjaer VG, Erritzoe D, Holst KK, Jensen PS, Rasmussen PM, Fisher PM, Baaré W, Madsen KS, Madsen J, Svarer C, Knudsen GM. Prefrontal serotonin transporter availability is positively associated with the cortisol awakening response. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 23:285-94. [PMID: 22732516 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Revised: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Stress sensitivity and serotonergic neurotransmission interact, e.g. individuals carrying the low-expressing variants (S and LG) of the 5-HTTLPR promoter polymorphism of the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene are at higher risk for developing mood disorders when exposed to severe stress and display higher cortisol responses when exposed to psychosocial stressors relative to high expressing 5-HTTLPR variants. However, it is not clear how the relation between SERT and cortisol output is reflected in the adult brain. We investigated the relation between cortisol response to awakening (CAR) and SERT binding in brain regions considered relevant to modify the cortisol awakening response. METHODS thirty-two healthy volunteers underwent in vivo SERT imaging with [(11)C]DASB-Positron Emission Tomography (PET), genotyping, and performed home-sampling of saliva to assess CAR. RESULTS CAR, defined as the area under curve with respect to increase from baseline, was positively coupled to prefrontal SERT binding (p=0.02), independent of adjustment for 5-HTTLPR genotype. Although S- and LG-allele carriers tended to show a larger CAR (p=0.07) than LA homozygous, 5-HTTLPR genotype did not modify the coupling between CAR and prefrontal SERT binding as tested by an interaction analysis (genotype×CAR). CONCLUSION prefrontal SERT binding is positively associated with cortisol response to awakening. We speculate that in mentally healthy individuals prefrontal serotonergic neurotransmission may exert an inhibitory control on the cortisol awakening response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibe Gedsoe Frokjaer
- Center for Integrated Molecular Brain Imaging, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Neurobiology Research Unit, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Cerit H, Jans LAW, Van der Does W. The effect of tryptophan on the cortisol response to social stress is modulated by the 5-HTTLPR genotype. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:201-8. [PMID: 22717170 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The S'/S' (S/S, S/Lg and Lg/Lg) variant of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with less efficient neurotransmission and may be more reactive to 5-HT manipulations. We tested the effects of l-tryptophan supplements on the cortisol response induced by a social stressor in S'/S' and L'/L' (La/La) carriers. METHODS In a double-blind parallel design, 25 S'/S' carriers and 21 L'/L' carriers were randomised to take l-tryptophan (2.8g/d) or placebo supplements for six days. At day 7 participants were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test. Salivary cortisol and subjective mood states were monitored before, during and after the stress procedure. RESULTS S'/S' carriers who took l-tryptophan supplements had a significantly lower cortisol response to stress than S'/S' carriers who took placebo. Tryptophan had no effect on cortisol in L'/L' carriers and no effect on subjective mood states in either genotype group. CONCLUSION Tryptophan attenuates the cortisol response to acute social stress depending on 5-HTTLPR genotype. S'/S' carriers may indeed be more reactive to 5-HT manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilâl Cerit
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Serotonintransportergen und Stressreagibilität bei unipolarer Depression. DER NERVENARZT 2013; 85:336-8, 340-3. [DOI: 10.1007/s00115-012-3702-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
There are sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of many psychiatric disorders. Various trends in symptomatology have emerged that are thought to be linked to periods of hormonal fluctuations such as with menses, pregnancy or menopause. With data from animal and human studies, it has become clear that there is an important interplay between the serotonergic system and gonadal hormones. The majority of the research to date has focused on the influence that estrogen has within the CNS and, in particular, how it leads to an overall increase in serotonin synthesis and availability. In reviewing this female-specific topic we hope to raise awareness to sex/gender differences in psychopathology, help identify at-risk populations and consider development of new treatment options. Future research will also need to consider the influence that progesterone and oxytocin may have on sex-specific psychopathology as well as incorporate neuroimaging and consider the influence of hormones on the serotonergic system at a genetic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Hall
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Centre for Mountain Health Services, McMaster University, 100 West 5th, Box 585, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Meir Steiner
- Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Gender effect on the relationship between stress hormones and panic-agoraphobic spectrum dimensions in healthy subjects. CNS Spectr 2012; 17:214-20. [PMID: 23253196 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852912000685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and of its peripheral indices have been reported in both normal and pathological anxiety with controversial findings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible correlations between serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels and DHEA-S/cortisol ratio, and panic-agoraphobic spectrum dimensions in a sample of healthy subjects. METHODS Forty-two healthy subjects of both sexes, with no current or lifetime psychiatric disorders, were assessed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I/P) and the so-called Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum-Self Report lifetime version (PAS-SR). RESULTS Significant, negative correlations were found between cortisol levels and the total score of the separation sensitivity, panic-like symptoms, and medication/substance sensitivity PAS-SR domains. The PAS-SR total and the panic-like symptoms domain scores were positively related to the DHEAS/cortisol ratio. When the sample was divided in women and men, these correlations were present in women only. DISCUSSION These findings, while indicating the presence of significant relationships between panic-agoraphobic traits and some indices of HPA axis functioning in healthy women, would suggest this as one of the factors explaining the greater vulnerability of women to cross the line between normal and pathological anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Further studies are needed to explore gender differences in the relationships between HPA axis alterations and the panic-agoraphobic spectrum dimensions.
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Epigenetic and genetic factors predict women's salivary cortisol following a threat to the social self. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48597. [PMID: 23155396 PMCID: PMC3498240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests that the reactivity of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPAA) is modulated by both genetic and environmental variables. Of special interest are the underlying molecular mechanisms driving gender differences to psychosocial stressors. Epigenetic mechanisms that sculpt the genome are ideal candidates for mediating the effects of signals on the HPAA. In the current study, we analyzed by pyrosequencing, bisulfite-treated buccal DNA from male and female university students who participated in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). A linear regression model was used to ascertain the effects of sex, CpG methylation and genes on stress response. Total cortisol output (area under the curve, AUC) was significantly predicted by glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) exon 1F methylation (averaged across 39 CpG sites) solely in female subjects. A single CpG site located in the exon 1F noncanonical nerve growth factor-inducible protein A (NGFI-A) transcription factor was a highly significant predictor of AUC in female subjects. Additionally, variations in the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and the serotonin transporter promoter (5-HTTLPR) genes were independent additive predictors of AUC. The full model accounted for half of the variance (50.06%) in total cortisol output. Notably, this is the first demonstration that epigenetic changes at the GR exon 1F correlate with HPAA reactivity. These findings have important implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying gender differences in stress-related disorders and underscore the unique value of modeling both epigenetic and genetic information in conferring vulnerability to stress.
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