Genetics of adult attachment: An updated review of the literature

Erkoreka, Leire; Zumárraga, Mercedes; Arrúe, Aurora; Zamalloa, María Isabel; Arnaiz, A.; Olivas, Olga; Moreno-Calle, T.; Sáez, E. Rodríguez; García, Joaquín de Nova; Marín, Elena; Varela, Noemi; González‐Pinto, Ana; Basterreche, Nieves

doi:10.5498/wjp.v11.i9.530

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…It is widely accepted that attachment style develops early in life, especially (but not solely) from bonding experiences, and determines individual differences in the processing of emotions, cognitions, and interpersonal relationships. 40 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…DRD4-7R has been associated with less inhibition of neuronal firing at the prefrontal cortex level and greater dopaminergic stimulation. 40 However, the clinical correlate is less certain, since it has been postulated as a protective 18 and risk 15 factor for AD. In the latter case, some authors argue that the DRD4-7R is linked to increased susceptibility to environmental influences and, therefore, to early adverse experiences, which would indirectly increase the risk of DA.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neurobiology of Disorganized Attachment: A Review of Primary Studies on Human Beings

et al. 2023

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This article describes and analyzes various aspects related to the neurobiology of disorganized attachment (DA), which is associated with personality, eating, affective, dissociative, and addictive disorders. We included primary studies in humans, published in PubMed from 2000 to 2022. Eight genetic and one epigenetic study were considered. Three molecular studies describe possible roles of oxytocin and cortisol, seven neurophysiological studies investigated functional correlates, and five morphological studies describe anatomical changes. Findings in candidate genes involved in dopaminergic, serotonergic, and oxytonergic systems have not been able to be replicated in large-scale human studies. Alterations in the functioning of cortisol and oxytocin are preliminary. Neurophysiological studies show changes in subcortical structures (mainly in the hippocampus) and occipital, temporal, parietal, and insular cortices. Since there is a lack of robust evidence on the neurobiology of DA in humans, the possible inferences of these studies are preliminary, which restricts their translation to clinical parameters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurobiology of Disorganized Attachment: A Review of Primary Studies on Human Beings

et al. 2023

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“…This is consistent with Das's et al ( 108 ) finding but contradictory to Gervai's et al ( 135 ) and Cicchetti and Rogosch's ( 144 ). While these associations are suggestive of reoccurring patterns of associations, ultimately, there is insufficient evidence to meaningfully comment on the direct influence of DRD4 on attachment or resilience, a position reiterated in a later systematic review of the genetics of adult attachment ( 294 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Variants Associated With Resilience in Human and Animal Studies

2022

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Resilience is broadly defined as the ability to maintain or regain functioning in the face of adversity and is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The identification of specific genetic factors and their biological pathways underpinning resilient functioning can help in the identification of common key factors, but heterogeneities in the operationalisation of resilience have hampered advances. We conducted a systematic review of genetic variants associated with resilience to enable the identification of general resilience mechanisms. We adopted broad inclusion criteria for the definition of resilience to capture both human and animal model studies, which use a wide range of resilience definitions and measure very different outcomes. Analyzing 158 studies, we found 71 candidate genes associated with resilience. OPRM1 (Opioid receptor mu 1), NPY (neuropeptide Y), CACNA1C (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C), DCC (deleted in colorectal carcinoma), and FKBP5 (FKBP prolyl isomerase 5) had both animal and human variants associated with resilience, supporting the idea of shared biological pathways. Further, for OPRM1, OXTR (oxytocin receptor), CRHR1 (corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1), COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), APOE (apolipoprotein E), and SLC6A4 (solute carrier family 6 member 4), the same allele was associated with resilience across divergent resilience definitions, which suggests these genes may therefore provide a starting point for further research examining commonality in resilience pathways.

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“…I read with interest the narrative review by Erkoreka et al [ 1 ] who analyzed the existing literature regarding the implication of candidate genes related to oxytocin, dopaminergic pathways, serotonergic pathways, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult attachment. Yet, the authors failed to discuss the studies that focused on the opioid pathways, which is surprising considering that, since the pioneering work by Panksepp et al [ 2 ], the neurobiological bases of attachment behavior have been closely linked with opioid neurotransmission.…”

Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, the authors failed to discuss the studies that focused on the opioid pathways, which is surprising considering that, since the pioneering work by Panksepp et al [ 2 ], the neurobiological bases of attachment behavior have been closely linked with opioid neurotransmission. In this letter, I summarize the findings of the studies that Erkoreka et al [ 1 ] failed to report and show why genetic research on attachment should target the endogenous opioid system.…”

Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetics of adult attachment and the endogenous opioid system

Troisi¹

2022

WJP

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Since the pioneering work by Panksepp et al , the neurobiological bases of attachment behavior have been closely linked with opioid neurotransmission. Candidate gene studies of adult individuals have shown that variation in the mu-opioid receptor gene ( OPRM1 ) influences attachment behavior. Early maternal care and the A/A genotype of the A118G polymorphism interact in modulating levels of fearful attachment. Compared to their counterparts carrying the A/A genotype, individuals expressing the minor 118G allele show lower levels of avoidant attachment and experience more pleasure in social situations. Brain imaging research has strengthened the biological plausibility of candidate gene studies. The avoidance dimension of attachment correlates negatively with mu-opioid receptor availability in the thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex, as well as the frontal cortex, amygdala, and insula. Overall, findings from human studies combined with those from animal models suggest that research on the genetic bases of attachment should include the endogenous opioid system among the investigated variables.

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Genetics of adult attachment: An updated review of the literature

Cited by 17 publications

References 64 publications

Neurobiology of Disorganized Attachment: A Review of Primary Studies on Human Beings

Neurobiology of Disorganized Attachment: A Review of Primary Studies on Human Beings

Genetic Variants Associated With Resilience in Human and Animal Studies

Genetics of adult attachment and the endogenous opioid system

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