The dopamine D2 receptor gene and depressive and anxious symptoms in childhood: Associations and evidence for gene-environment correlation and gene-environment interaction

Authors

Elizabeth P. Hayden, Western UniversityFollow
Daniel N. Klein, Western University
Lea R. Dougherty, Western University
Thomas M. Olino, Western University
Rebecca S. Laptook, Western University
Margaret W. Dyson, Western University
Sara J. Bufferd, Western University
C. Emily Durbin, Western University
Haroon I. Comardelle, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Sinead Currie, University of Stirling
Caitlin Denton, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Cheryce L. Harrison, Monash University
Tayla Lamerton, The University of Queensland
Gabriela P. Mena, The University of Queensland
Lisa Moran, Monash University
Michelle Mottola, Western UniversityFollow
Taniya S. Nagpal, University of Ottawa
Lisa Vincze, Griffith University
Stephanie Schoeppe, CQUniversity Australia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2010

Journal

Psychiatric Genetics

Volume

20

Issue

6

First Page

304

Last Page

310

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1097/YPG.0b013e32833adccb

Abstract

ObjectiveS: Research implicates the A1 allele of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) Taq1A polymorphism in the development of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, recent papers suggest that children with A1 allele of this gene may receive less positive parenting, and that the effects of this gene on child symptoms may be moderated by parenting. We sought to replicate and extend these findings using behavioral measures in a nonclinical sample of young children. Methods: In a sample of 473 preschool-aged children and their mothers, structured clinical interview measures and maternal reports of child symptoms were collected, and standardized observations of parent-child interactions were conducted. Results: An association was detected between the DRD2 A1 allele and symptoms of depression and anxiety indexed using interview and parent report methods. As found in previous reports, children with the DRD2 A1 allele received less supportive parenting and displayed higher levels of negative emotionality during parent-child interactions. Tests of mediation and moderation were conducted. Conclusion: We found associations between the DRD2 A1 allele and early-emerging anxious and depressive symptoms in a community sample of preschool-aged children, and evidence of a gene-environment correlation and moderation of the main effect of child genotype on child symptoms by parenting. © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.