A Functional Interleukin-18 Haplotype Predicts Depression and Anxiety through Increased Threat-Related Amygdala Reactivity in Women but Not Men.

ABSTRACT: Common functional polymorphisms in the gene encoding interleukin-18 (IL18), a cytokine belonging to the IL-1 superfamily that can induce synthesis of several other cytokines, have been associated with major depressive episodes following the experience of stressful life events. The neural mechanisms underlying these associations remain unexamined. Here we use an imaging genetics strategy to examine the effects of risk-related IL18 haplotypes comprising rs187238 and rs1946518 on threat-related amygdala reactivity and, through an indirect effect, stress-related symptoms of depression and anxiety in 448 non-Hispanic Caucasian university students. Analyses indicated that women but not men possessing an IL18 haplotype comprising both risk-related alleles evidenced increased threat-related left c

SUBMITTER: Swartz JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5399226 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature