Interactive effects of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1, serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region, and child maltreatment on diurnal cortisol regulation and internalizing symptomatology

Dev Psychopathol. 2011 Nov;23(4):1125-38. doi: 10.1017/S0954579411000599.

Abstract

Within an allostatic load framework, the effect of Gene × Environment (G × E) interactions on diurnal cortisol regulation and internalizing symptomatology were investigated. Variation in the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) TAT haplotype and serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) was determined in a sample of maltreated (n = 238, 21.4% with early physical and sexual abuse) and nonmaltreated (n = 255) children (M age = 10.08) participating in a summer research camp. Internalizing and depressive symptoms were assessed by other and self-report. G × E effects for CRHR1 and maltreatment and early abuse on diurnal cortisol regulation were observed; CRHR1 variation was related to cortisol dysregulation only among maltreated children. Early abuse and high internalizing symptoms also interacted to predict atypical diurnal cortisol regulation. The interaction of CRHR1, 5-HTTLPR, and child maltreatment (G × G × E) identified a subgroup of maltreated children with high internalizing symptoms who shared the same combination of the two genes. The findings support an allostatic load perspective on the effects of the chronic stress associated with child maltreatment on cortisol regulation and internalizing symptomatology as moderated by genetic variation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Abuse* / psychology
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Depression / genetics
  • Depression / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Gene-Environment Interaction
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Haplotypes / genetics
  • Haplotypes / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / analysis
  • Hydrocortisone / physiology*
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / physiology
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length / physiology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / genetics*
  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / physiology
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • CRF receptor type 1
  • Hydrocortisone