Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2009):

Genetic and environmental influence on attachment disorganization.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Empirical studies demonstrate that maternal sensitivity is associated with attachment security in infancy, while maternal frightening/frightened behavior is related to attachment disorganization. However, attachment disorganization is also predicted by individual dispositions in infancy. Indeed, recent studies indicate a link between attachment disorganization and DRD4 gene polymorphisms, thus suggesting a genetic vulnerability for attachment disorganization. The aims of our study were twofold, to test a) a possible direct link between molecular genetic variations and attachment disorganization, and b) a possible gene-environment interaction with a moderating effect of early maternal caregiving. METHODS: Attachment security and disorganization, as well as quality of maternal behavior were assessed in the infants of the Regensburg Longitudinal Study IV (N = 106) at the age of 12 months. DNA samples were collected in order to assess the exon III repeat polymorphism in the coding region and the -521 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the regulatory region of the DRD4 gene and a repeat polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between attachment disorganization and the short polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene. Also, a gene-environment interaction indicated that this genetic association was only valid for infants of mothers exhibiting low responsiveness. No other significant genetic associations with attachment disorganization were apparent. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests a gene-environment interaction whereby biological determinants of attachment disorganization are moderated by social experiences. Different pathways of the development of attachment disorganization are discussed based on a bio-behavioral model of development.

Author information

Author/s: Spangler, Gottfried (G); Johann, Monika (M); Ronai, Zsolt (Z); Zimmermann, Peter (P);

Affiliation: Institute of Psychology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. Gottfried.Spangler(-atsign-)phil.uni-erlangen.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines (J Child Psychol Psychiatry), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 50 (issue 8) : pp 952-61

Dates: Created 2009/08/11; Completed 2009/10/20;

PMID: 19673052, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/20/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Alleles Exons - genetics Female Genetic Predisposition to Disease - genetics; psychology Genotype Humans Infant Male Maternal Behavior - psychology

Minisatellite Repeats - genetics Polymerase Chain Reaction Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics Reactive Attachment Disorder - genetics; psychology Receptors, Dopamine D4 - genetics Reference Values Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics Social Environment

Associated Chemicals: DRD4 protein, human (0) ; SLC6A4 protein, human (0) ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins (0) ; Receptors, Dopamine D4 (137750-34-6)

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