TY - JOUR
T1 - Beyond the usual suspects
T2 - a multidimensional genetic exploration of infant attachment disorganization and security
AU - Pappa, Irene
AU - Szekely, Eszter
AU - Mileva-Seitz, Viara R.
AU - Luijk, Maartje P.C.M.
AU - Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J.
AU - van IJzendoorn, Marinus H.
AU - Tiemeier, Henning
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - Although the environmental influences on infant attachment disorganization and security are well-studied, little is known about their heritability. Candidate gene studies have shown small, often non-replicable effects. In this study, we gathered the largest sample (N = 657) of ethnically homogenous, 14-month-old children with both observed attachment and genome-wide data. First, we used a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with attachment disorganization and security. Second, we annotated them into genes (Versatile Gene-based Association Study) and functional pathways. Our analyses provide evidence of novel genes (HDAC1, ZNF675, BSCD1) and pathways (synaptic transmission, cation transport) associated with attachment disorganization. Similar analyses identified a novel gene (BECN1) but no distinct pathways associated with attachment security. The results of this first extensive, exploratory study on the molecular-genetic basis of infant attachment await replication in large, independent samples.
AB - Although the environmental influences on infant attachment disorganization and security are well-studied, little is known about their heritability. Candidate gene studies have shown small, often non-replicable effects. In this study, we gathered the largest sample (N = 657) of ethnically homogenous, 14-month-old children with both observed attachment and genome-wide data. First, we used a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with attachment disorganization and security. Second, we annotated them into genes (Versatile Gene-based Association Study) and functional pathways. Our analyses provide evidence of novel genes (HDAC1, ZNF675, BSCD1) and pathways (synaptic transmission, cation transport) associated with attachment disorganization. Similar analyses identified a novel gene (BECN1) but no distinct pathways associated with attachment security. The results of this first extensive, exploratory study on the molecular-genetic basis of infant attachment await replication in large, independent samples.
KW - disorganization
KW - genome-wide association study
KW - infant attachment
KW - pathway analysis
KW - VEGAS
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84929833934&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84929833934&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14616734.2015.1037316
DO - 10.1080/14616734.2015.1037316
M3 - Article
C2 - 25939396
AN - SCOPUS:84929833934
VL - 17
SP - 288
EP - 301
JO - Attachment and Human Development
JF - Attachment and Human Development
SN - 1461-6734
IS - 3
ER -