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DRD2 and SLC6A3 moderate impact of maternal depressive symptoms on infant cortisol

Jaclyn A Ludmer1, Robert Levitan2, Andrea Gonzalez3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, M5B 2K3, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Psychoneuroendocrinology
|September 7, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Maternal depression impacts infant cortisol reactivity, influenced by specific genes (DRD2, SLC6A3). This interaction affects stress response flexibility, showing either diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility depending on the challenge.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Maternal depressive symptoms and infant genetics influence hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning.
  • Dopamine-related genes like DRD2 and SLC6A3 are implicated in infant HPA axis regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the interactive effects of maternal depressive symptoms and infant DRD2/SLC6A3 genotypes on infant cortisol reactivity.
  • Determine if this interaction reflects diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility models.
  • Examine the influence of this interaction on cortisol response flexibility across different challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Community sample of 314 mother-infant dyads.
  • Salivary cortisol measured at baseline, +20, and +40 min during toy frustration and maternal separation challenges.
  • Maternal depressive symptoms assessed using Beck Depression Inventory-II.
  • Infant buccal cells genotyped for DRD2 and SLC6A3.

Main Results:

  • DRD2 and SLC6A3 genotypes moderated the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and infant cortisol reactivity.
  • Interaction followed a diathesis-stress pattern during toy frustration and differential susceptibility during maternal separation.
  • Maternal depressive symptoms predicted reduced cortisol flexibility in infants with specific DRD2 (A1 allele) and SLC6A3 (10/10) genotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal depressive symptomatology is associated with infant cortisol reactivity and its flexibility.
  • The impact of maternal depression on infant HPA axis functioning is gene-dependent.
  • Findings highlight the interplay between maternal mental health, infant genetics, and early life stress response.

Keywords:
CortisolDRD2InfantMaternal depressive symptomsSLC6A3Strange situation

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