Gene-environment interactions: early life stress and risk for depressive and anxiety disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Prior reviews have examined how stress, broadly defined, interacts with genetic diathesis in the pathogenesis of internalizing (i.e., depressive and anxiety) disorders. Recent findings have suggested a unique role for early life stress (ELS) in the development of internalizing disorders, contributing to the rapid proliferation of research in this area.

Objective

This paper critically reviews studies in humans examining gene-environment interaction (GxE) effects of ELS on the risk for depression and anxiety, primarily from a candidate gene perspective. Major methodological challenges that are unique to such studies are considered.

Results

The majority of published studies have focused on candidates that regulate the serotonin system, especially the serotonin

SUBMITTER: Nugent NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3615637 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature