scholarly journals A Polygenic Score for Body Mass Index is Associated with Depressive Symptoms via Early Life Stress: Evidence for gene-environment correlation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reut Avinun ◽  
Ahmad R. Hariri
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Gene Environment

ABSTRACTBackgroundIncreasing childhood overweight and obesity rates are associated with not only adverse physical, but also mental health outcomes, including depression. These negative outcomes may be caused and/or exacerbated by the bullying and shaming overweight individuals experience. As body mass index (BMI) can be highly heritable, we hypothesized that a genetic risk toward higher BMI, will predict higher early life stress (ELS), which in turn will predict higher depressive symptoms in adulthood. Such a process will reflect an evocative gene-environment correlation (rGE) wherein an individual’s genetically influenced phenotype evokes a reaction from the environment that subsequently shapes the individual’s health.MethodsWe modeled genetic risk using a polygenic score of BMI derived from a recent large GWAS meta-analysis. Self-reports were used for the assessment of ELS and depressive symptoms in adulthood. The discovery sample consisted of 524 non-Hispanic Caucasian university students from the Duke Neurogenetics Study (DNS; 278 women, mean age 19.78±1.23 years) and the independent replication sample consisted of 5 930 white British individuals from the UK biobank (UKB; 3 128 women, mean age 62.66±7.38 years).ResultsA significant mediation effect was found in the DNS (indirect effect=.207, bootstrapped SE=.10, 95% CI: .014 to .421), and then replicated in the UKB (indirect effect=.04, bootstrapped SE=.01, 95% CI: .018 to .066). Higher BMI polygenic scores were associated with higher depressive symptoms through the experience of higher ELS.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that evocative rGE may contribute to weight-related mental health problems and stress the need for interventions that aim to reduce weight bias, specifically during childhood.

scholarly journals The effect of a mindfulness-based stress intervention on neurobiological and symptom measures in adolescents with early life stress: a randomized feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsofia P. Cohen ◽  
Kelly T. Cosgrove ◽  
Elisabeth Akeman ◽  
Sara Coffey ◽  
Kent Teague ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Symptom Level

Abstract Background Early life stress (ELS) has been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. Mindfulness reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and improves cognitive and social outcomes in both youth and adults. However, little is known whether mindfulness can mitigate against the adverse neurobiological and psychological effects of ELS. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of conducting a group mindfulness intervention in adolescents with ELS and provide preliminary indication of potential effects on stress-related biomarkers and mental health symptoms. Methods Forty adolescents were randomized to receive either eight sessions of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens in group format (MBSR-T; n = 21) or Treatment as Usual Control group (CTRL; n = 17). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and follow-up and included measures associated with neurobiological functioning (immune and endocrine biomarkers) and self-reported mental health (depressive) symptoms. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess the effects of group and time on these outcome measures. Results Sixteen of the 21 adolescents completed the intervention, attending an average of 6.5 sessions. The model examining cortisol responses to stress induction revealed medium effects trending toward significance (Cohen’s d = .56) for anticipatory cortisol levels in the MBSR-T relative to CTRL groups. No significant effects were found in models examining C-reactive protein or interleukin 6 inflammatory markers. The model examining depressive symptoms revealed a medium effect for symptom reduction (Cohen’s d = .69) in the MBSR-T relative to CTRL groups. Conclusions This study demonstrated feasibility of conducting a group-based MBSR-T intervention for adolescents with ELS. There was some evidence for efficacy on a symptom level with potential subtle changes on a biological level. Future larger studies are needed to determine the efficacy of group-based mindfulness interventions in this population. Trial registration Identifier #NCT03633903, registered 16/08/2018.

scholarly journals The Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Intervention On Neurobiological and Symptom Measures in Adolescents With Early Life Stress: A Randomized Feasibility Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsofia Cohen ◽  
Kelly Cosgrove ◽  
Elisabeth Akeman ◽  
Sara Coffey ◽  
Kent Teague ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Symptom Level

Abstract Background: Early life stress (ELS) has been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. Mindfulness reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety and improves cognitive and social outcomes in both youth and adults. However, little is known whether mindfulness can mitigate against the adverse neurobiological and psychological effects of ELS. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of conducting a group mindfulness intervention in adolescents with ELS and provide preliminary indication of potential effects on stress-related biomarkers and mental health symptoms.Methods: Forty adolescents were randomized to receive either eight sessions of Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction for Teens in group format (MBSR-T; n = 21) or Treatment as Usual Control group (CTRL; n = 17). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and follow-up and included measures associated with neurobiological functioning (immune and endocrine biomarkers) and self-reported mental health (depressive) symptoms. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess the effects of group and time on these outcome measures.Results: Sixteen of the 21 adolescents completed the intervention, attending an average of 6.5 sessions. The model examining cortisol responses to stress induction revealed medium effects trending toward significance (Cohen’s d = .56) for anticipatory cortisol levels in the MBSR-T relative to CTRL groups. No significant effects were found in models examining C-reactive protein or interleukin 6 inflammatory markers. The model examining depressive symptoms revealed a medium effect for symptom reduction (Cohen’s d = .69) in the MBSR-T relative to CTRL groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrated feasibility of conducting a group-based MBSR intervention for adolescents with ELS. There was some evidence for efficacy on a symptom level 73 with potential subtle changes on a biological level. Future larger studies are needed to determine 74 the efficacy of group-based mindfulness interventions in this population.Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier #NCT03633903, registered 16/08/2018.

scholarly journals Three-way interaction effects of early life stress, positive parenting and FKBP5 in the development of depressive symptoms in a general population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecka Keijser ◽  
Susanne Olofsdotter ◽  
Kent W. Nilsson ◽  
Cecilia Åslund
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Positive Parenting ◽  
Depressive Symptomology ◽  
Patterns Of Interaction

AbstractFKBP5 gene–environment interaction (cG × E) studies have shown diverse results, some indicating significant interaction effects between the gene and environmental stressors on depression, while others lack such results. Moreover, FKBP5 has a potential role in the diathesis stress and differential susceptibility theorem. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a cG × E interaction effect of FKBP5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or haplotype and early life stress (ELS) on depressive symptoms among young adults was moderated by a positive parenting style (PASCQpos), through the frameworks of the diathesis stress and differential susceptibility theorem. Data were obtained from the Survey of Adolescent Life in Västmanland Cohort Study, including 1006 participants and their guardians. Data were collected during 2012, when the participants were 13 and 15 years old (Wave I: DNA), 2015, when participants were 16 and 18 years old (Wave II: PASCQpos, depressive symptomology and ELS) and 2018, when participants were 19 and 21 years old (Wave III: depressive symptomology). Significant three-way interactions were found for the FKBP5 SNPs rs1360780, rs4713916, rs7748266 and rs9394309, moderated by ELS and PASCQpos, on depressive symptoms among young adults. Diathesis stress patterns of interaction were observed for the FKBP5 SNPs rs1360780, rs4713916 and rs9394309, and differential susceptibility patterns of interaction were observed for the FKBP5 SNP rs7748266. Findings emphasize the possible role of FKBP5 in the development of depressive symptoms among young adults and contribute to the understanding of possible differential susceptibility effects of FKBP5.

scholarly journals EARLY LIFE STRESS AND GENETIC RISK FOR NEUROTICISM PREDICTING HEALTH OUTCOMES IN OLDER SWEDISH TWINS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 591-592
Author(s):  
K. Lehto ◽  
I. Karlsson ◽  
C. Lundholm ◽  
N.L. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress

scholarly journals Influence of early life stress on later hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis functioning and its covariation with mental health symptoms: A study of the allostatic process from childhood into adolescence

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1039-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn J. Essex ◽  
Elizabeth A. Shirtcliff ◽  
Linnea R. Burk ◽  
Paula L. Ruttle ◽  
Marjorie H. Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Model ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal

AbstractThe hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is a primary mechanism in the allostatic process through which early life stress (ELS) contributes to disease. Studies of the influence of ELS on children's HPA axis functioning have yielded inconsistent findings. To address this issue, the present study considers multiple types of ELS (maternal depression, paternal depression, and family expressed anger), mental health symptoms, and two components of HPA functioning (traitlike and epoch-specific activity) in a long-term prospective community study of 357 children. ELS was assessed during the infancy and preschool periods; mental health symptoms and cortisol were assessed at child ages 9, 11, 13, and 15 years. A three-level hierarchical linear model addressed questions regarding the influences of ELS on HPA functioning and its covariation with mental health symptoms. ELS influenced traitlike cortisol level and slope, with both hyper- and hypoarousal evident depending on type of ELS. Further, type(s) of ELS influenced covariation of epoch-specific HPA functioning and mental health symptoms, with a tighter coupling of HPA alterations with symptom severity among children exposed previously to ELS. Results highlight the importance of examining multiple types of ELS and dynamic HPA functioning in order to capture the allostatic process unfolding across the transition into adolescence.

Early-life stress and antidepressant treatment involve synaptic signaling and Erk kinases in a gene-environment model of depression

2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 511-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Musazzi ◽  
Alessandra Mallei ◽  
Daniela Tardito ◽  
Susanne H.M. Gruber ◽  
Aram El Khoury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Synaptic Signaling ◽  
Environment Model ◽  
Gene Environment

scholarly journals Early Life Stress Associated With Increased Striatal N-Acetyl-Aspartate: Cerebrospinal Fluid Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Concentrations, Hippocampal Volume, Body Mass, and Behavioral Correlates

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 247054701876845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy D. Coplan ◽  
Dunyue Lu ◽  
Alexander M. El Sehamy ◽  
Cheuk Tang ◽  
Andrea P. Jackowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Stress Markers

Introduction Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging, the effects of early life stress on nonhuman primate striatal neuronal integrity were examined as reflected by N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) concentrations. NAA measures were interrogated through examining their relationship to previously documented early life stress markers—cerebrospinal fluid corticotropin-releasing factor concentrations, hippocampal volume, body mass, and behavioral timidity. Rodent models of depression exhibit increases in neurotrophic effects in the nucleus accumbens. We hypothesized that rearing under conditions of early life stress (variable foraging demand, VFD) would produce persistent elevations of NAA concentrations (in absolute or ratio form) in ventral striatum/caudate nucleus (VS/CN) with altered correlation to early life stress markers. Methods Eleven bonnet macaque males reared under VFD conditions and seven age-matched control subjects underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging during young adulthood. Voxels were placed over VS/CN to capture nucleus accumbens. Cisternal cerebrospinal fluid corticotropin-releasing factor concentrations, hippocampal volume, body mass, and response to a human intruder had been previously determined. Results VFD-reared monkeys exhibited significantly increased NAA/creatine concentrations in right VS/CN in comparison to normally reared controls, controlling for multiple comparisons. In comparison to controls, VFD cerebrospinal fluid corticotropin-releasing factor concentrations were directly associated with right VS/CN absolute NAA. Left hippocampal volume was inversely associated with left VS/CN NAA/creatine in VFD reared but not in controls. Disruption of a normative inverse correlation between left VS/CN NAA and body mass was noted in VFD. Only non-VFD subjects exhibited a direct relationship between timidity response to an intruder and right VS/CN NAA. Conclusion Early life stress produced persistent increases in VS/CN NAA, which demonstrated specific patterns of association (or lack thereof) to early life stress markers in comparison to non-VFD subjects. The data are broadly consistent with a stable nonhuman primate phenotype of anxiety and mood disorder vulnerability whereby in vivo indicators of neuronal integrity, although reduced in hippocampus, are increased in striatum. The findings may provide a catalyst for further studies in humans and other species regarding a reciprocal hippocampal/nucleus accumbens relationship in affective disorders.

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