BDNFVal66Met polymorphism moderates the link between child maltreatment and reappraisal ability

Abstract

Child maltreatment is associated with increased risk for virtually all common mental disorders, but it is not yet clear why. One possible mechanism is emotion regulation ability. The present study investigated for the first time the influence of a BDNF Val66Met genotype × child maltreatment interaction on emotion regulation, and compared differential susceptibility and diathesis-stress models. A sample of N = 254 healthy volunteers were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and underwent an experimental assessment of reappraisal ability (i.e. the success of using reappraisal to downregulate negative affect). A self-report instrument previously validated against a clinical interview was used to investigate child maltreatment. There was a significant BDNF Val66Met genotype × child maltreatment interaction (B = -0.31, P< 0.015), with Met carriers showing both the lowest level of reappraisal ability in maltreated participants, and the highest level of reappraisal ability in non-maltreated participants. By assessing alternative models, we found that the best fitting model was in line with strong differential susceptibility. As expected, reappraisal ability was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Therefore, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism moderates the link between child maltreatment and emotion regulation ability. Future studies could investigate whether improving reappraisal in maltreated BDNF Met carriers results in reduced risk for mental disorders.

Association between genetic variants and depression in a Romanian cohort

“…Although the incidence of GG genotype for rs41423247 NR3C1:c.1184+646C>G is slightly higher in the MDD group, the OR for the dominant model is OR=1.13 (p=0.72), OR=1.86 for the recessive model (p=0.16) and OR=1.22 for the allelic model (p=0.33). [27], 19.26% [28], and 16.53% [29].…”

“…In this case, MAFs for the control group was 22.2%, comparable to the EUR reported frequency. rs6265 BDNF:c.442G>A has been previously reported in healthy individuals of Romanian ethnicity having a MAF ranging from 22.18% [ 27 ], 19.26% [ 28 ], and 16.53% [ 29 ].…”

Child maltreatment and resilience in adulthood: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Additionally, knowledge of potential mediators of the relationship between CM and resilience, e.g. (epi)genetic factors (Cahill et al, 2022 ; Choi et al, 2019 ; Cicchetti & Rogosch, 2012 ; Gallardo-Pujol et al, 2013 ; Goldberg et al, 2013 ; Miu et al, 2017 ; Ramo-Fernández et al, 2019 ), brain structure (Roeckner et al, 2021 ) and functioning (McCrory et al, 2017 ; Ohashi et al, 2017 ; Teicher et al, 2020 ; Teicher & Samson, 2016 ), past or current mental disorder or medical condition (Ashy et al, 2020 ; Perini et al, 2023 ), personality traits (Mrazek & Mrazek, 1987 ), (insecure) attachment styles (Citak & Erten, 2021 ; Stein, 2006 ), physical activity or exercise (Arida & Teixeira-Machado, 2020 ), perceived loneliness, social network size and services, and coping strategies (Reinhard et al, 2022 ; Su et al, 2022 ; Ungar, 2013 ) could facilitate an understanding of the mechanisms underlying this association. This knowledge is important for developing risk stratification models of adverse psychosocial health outcomes and targeted effective prevention and intervention strategies for individuals with histories of CM exposure.…”