title: Childhood emotional environment and self-injurious behaviors: the moderating role of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous theory has suggested that invalidating environments in the form of emotional maltreatment should be a specific risk factor for the development of self-injurious behaviors (Linehan, 1993, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, New York, Guilford Press). However, results from previous studies have been mixed, possibly indicating that this effect may not be the same for all individuals. In fact, some individuals may be more susceptible to environmental influences (i.e., phenotypic plasticity), and this susceptibility may be in part a function of genes that are involved in neuroplasticity (e.g., the brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF] Val66Met polymorphism).
  
  
  METHODS
  We explored the interaction between retrospective reports of childhood emotional environment and the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in relation to a history of two main types of self-injurious behaviors, suicide attempt and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), in a sample of individuals with a history of involvement in the criminal justice system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For individuals with two Val alleles, there was a significant direct relationship between emotional maltreatment and self-injurious behaviors. However, the relationship was not significant for Met carriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data are cross-sectional, which means causal inferences cannot be drawn.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate the possibility of a common etiological pathway for NSSI and suicide attempts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 603 East Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820, United States. Konrad.Bresin@gmail.com
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bresin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sima Finy
authors.forename: Edelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000235:genetics*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
keywords: BDNF; Invalidating environment; Self-injury; Suicide; Val66Met