Skip to main content

Citation

Adkins, Daniel E.; Daw, Jonathan K.; McClay, Joseph L.; & Van den Oord, Edwin J. C. G. (2012). The Influence of Five Monoamine Genes on Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms across Adolescence and Young Adulthood. Development and Psychopathology, 24(1), 267-285. PMCID: PMC3515661

Abstract

The influence of five monoamine candidate genes on depressive symptom trajectories in adolescence and young adulthood were examined in the Add Health genetic sample. Results indicated that, for all respondents, carriers of the dopamine receptor D4 5-repeat allele were characterized by distinct depressive symptom trajectories across adolescence and early adulthood. Similarly, for males, individuals with the monoamine oxidase A 3.5-repeat allele exhibited unique depressive symptom trajectories. Specifically, the trajectories of those with the dopamine receptor D4 5-repeat allele were characterized by rising levels in the transition to adulthood, while their peers were experiencing a normative drop in depressive symptom frequency. Conversely, males with the monoamine oxidase A 3.5-repeat allele were shown to experience increased distress in late adolescence. An empirical method for examining a wide array of allelic combinations was employed, and false discovery rate methods were used to control the risk of false positives due to multiple testing. Special attention was given to thoroughly interrogate the robustness of the putative genetic effects. These results demonstrate the value of combining dynamic developmental perspectives with statistical genetic methods to optimize the search for genetic influences on psychopathology across the life course.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579411000824

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2012

Journal Title

Development and Psychopathology

Author(s)

Adkins, Daniel E.
Daw, Jonathan K.
McClay, Joseph L.
Van den Oord, Edwin J. C. G.

PMCID

PMC3515661