Genome-wide stress sensitivity moderates the stress-depression relationship in a nationally representative sample of adults

Citation

Davidson, Trent; Braudt, David B.; Keers, Robert; Assary, Elham; Harris, Kathleen Mullan; & Boardman, Jason D. (2021). Genome-wide stress sensitivity moderates the stress-depression relationship in a nationally representative sample of adults. Scientific Reports. vol. 11 (1) , PMCID: PMC8514581

Abstract

We re-evaluate the findings of one of the most cited and disputed papers in gene-environment interaction (GxE) literature. In 2003, a paper was published in Science in which the authors demonstrated that the relationship between stress and depression is moderated by a polymorphism in the promoter region (5-HTTLPR) of the gene SLC6A4. Replication has been weak and led many to challenge the overall significance of GxE research. Here, we utilize data from Add Health, a large, nationally representative, and well-powered longitudinal study to re-examine the genetic determinants of stress sensitivity. We characterize environmental sensitivity using a genome-wide polygenic indicator rather than relying on one polymorphism in a single candidate gene. Our results provide support for the stress-diathesis perspective and validate the scientific contributions of the original paper.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98684-4

Keyword(s)

gwas

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Scientific Reports

Author(s)

Davidson, Trent
Braudt, David B.
Keers, Robert
Assary, Elham
Harris, Kathleen Mullan
Boardman, Jason D.

Year Published

2021

Volume Number

11

Issue Number

1

ISSN/ISBN

2045-2322

DOI

10.1038/s41598-021-98684-4

PMCID

PMC8514581

Reference ID

9453