Related Experiment Videos
Early-Life Adversity Interacts with FKBP5 Genotypes: Altered Working Memory and Cardiac Stress Reactivity in the
William R Lovallo1,2, Mary-Anne Enoch3, Ashley Acheson4,5
1VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Summary
Early-life adversity impacts adult working memory and stress response, particularly in FKBP5 A-allele carriers. This gene-environment interaction highlights FKBP5 as a vulnerability point for health behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychology
Background:
- Early-life adversity (ELA) can negatively affect adult health behaviors.
- Genetic factors may exacerbate stress-related effects.
- FKBP5 gene influences glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function and stress response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the impact of ELA on psychological, physiological, and behavioral traits in young adults.
- To investigate gene-by-environment (G × E) interactions involving the FKBP5 gene (rs9296158 SNP) and ELA.
- To identify potential genetic vulnerabilities to ELA's long-term health effects.
Main Methods:
- Examined 252 healthy young adults.
- Assessed psychological, physiological, and behavioral characteristics.
- Analyzed the FKBP5 gene polymorphism (rs9296158) in relation to ELA exposure and G × E interactions.
Main Results:
- FKBP5 A-allele carriers showed progressively worse working memory performance on the Stroop task with increasing ELA.
- A significant G × E interaction was found between FKBP5 genotype and ELA on working memory (P=0.007).
- AA/AG-allele carriers exhibited diminished heart rate response to mental stress (P=0.024).
Conclusions:
- The FKBP5 gene in the GR pathway represents a potential vulnerability to ELA.
- Gene-environment interactions involving FKBP5 may influence adult working memory and stress reactivity.
- Findings suggest FKBP5 as a target for studying ELA's impact on adult health behaviors.
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