The psychology of psychiatric genetics: evidence that positive emotions in females moderate genetic sensitivity to social stress associated with the BDNF Val-sup-6-sup-6Met polymorphism.
Previous work indicated protective effects of positive emotions on genetically influenced stress sensitivity. Given the fact that expression of brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF) is associated with stress-induced behavioral changes, it was hypothesized that the BDNF Val-sup-6-sup-6Met genotype may mediate genetic effects on stress sensitivity, conditional on the level of concurrent positive emotions. Subjects (n=446) participated in a momentary assessment study, collecting appraisals of stress and affect in the flow of daily life. Multilevel regression analyses examined moderation of daily life stress-induced negative affect (NA) by BDNF genotype, and to what degree this was conditional on concurrent positive emotions. Results showed that heterozygous BDNF "Met" carriers exhibited an increased NA response to social stress compared with "Val/Val" subjects. Positive emotions at the time of the stressor decreased BDNF genetic moderation of the NA response to social stress in a dose-response fashion. This effect was most pronounced in BDNF Met carriers. Thus, the impact of BDNF genotype on stress sensitivity is conditional on the experience of positive emotions. Interdisciplinary research in psychology and psychiatric genetics may lead to the improvement of treatment choices in stress-related disorders.
Wichers
Marieke
M
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. m.wichers@sp.unimaas.nl
Kenis
Gunter
G
Jacobs
Nele
N
Myin-Germeys
Inez
I
Schruers
Koen
K
Mengelers
Ron
R
Delespaul
Philippe
P
Derom
Catherine
C
Vlietinck
Robert
R
van Os
Jim
J
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor