Beyond the usual suspects: a multidimensional genetic exploration of infant attachment disorganization and security.
Although the environmental influences on infant attachment disorganization and security are well-studied, little is known about their heritability. Candidate gene studies have shown small, often non-replicable effects. In this study, we gathered the largest sample (N = 657) of ethnically homogenous, 14-month-old children with both observed attachment and genome-wide data. First, we used a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with attachment disorganization and security. Second, we annotated them into genes (Versatile Gene-based Association Study) and functional pathways. Our analyses provide evidence of novel genes (HDAC1, ZNF675, BSCD1) and pathways (synaptic transmission, cation transport) associated with attachment disorganization. Similar analyses identified a novel gene (BECN1) but no distinct pathways associated with attachment security. The results of this first extensive, exploratory study on the molecular-genetic basis of infant attachment await replication in large, independent samples.
a School of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences , Erasmus University Rotterdam , Rotterdam , The Netherlands.
Irene
I
Pappa
Eszter
E
Szekely
Viara R
VR
Mileva-Seitz
Maartje P C M
MP
Luijk
Marian J
MJ
Bakermans-Kranenburg
Marinus H
MH
van IJzendoorn
Henning
H
Tiemeier
D005260:Female; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study / Q000379:methods*; D056284:Histone Deacetylase 1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D009769:Object Attachment; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000235:genetics
C110550:HDAC1 protein, human; D056284:Histone Deacetylase 1
VEGAS; disorganization; genome-wide association study; infant attachment; pathway analysis