Heritability of children's prosocial behavior and differential susceptibility to parenting by variation in the dopamine receptor D4 gene

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Knafo ◽  
Salomon Israel ◽  
Richard P. Ebstein
Keyword(s):  
Prosocial Behavior ◽  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Parental Influence ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Differential Sensitivity ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Children's Behavior ◽  
Genes And Environment ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

AbstractTheoretical considerations and new empirical evidence suggest that children's development cannot simply be explained by either genes or environment but that their interaction is important to understanding child behavior. In particular, a genetic polymorphism, the exon III repeat region of the dopamine receptor D4, has been the focus of interest regarding differential susceptibility to parental influence. To study environmental and genetic influences on children's prosocial behavior, 168 twin pairs (mean age = 44 months) participated in an experiment that assessed prosocial behavior via three measures: compliant prosocial behavior elicited in response to social requests, self-initiated prosocial behavior enacted voluntarily, and mothers' rating of children's behavior. Genetic effects accounted for 34% to 53% of the variance in prosocial behavior. The rest of the variance was accounted for by nonshared environment and error. Parenting measures of maternal positivity, negativity, and unexplained punishment did not correlate significantly with children's prosocial behavior. However, when parenting was stratified by presence or absence of the child's dopamine receptor D4 7-repeat allele in an overlapping sample of 167 children to model differential susceptibility to parental influence, a richer picture emerged. Positive parenting related meaningfully to mother-rated prosocial behavior, and unexplained punishment related positively to self-initiated prosocial behavior, but only among children carrying the 7-repeat allele. The findings demonstrate that a molecular genetic strategy, based on genotyping of common polymorphisms and combined with a classic twin approach, provides a richer description of how genes and environment interact to shape children's behavior, and allows for the identification of differential sensitivity to parental influence.

scholarly journals Genetic differential susceptibility on trial: Meta-analytic support from randomized controlled experiments

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinus H. van Ijzendoorn ◽  
Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Serotonin Transporter ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Polymorphic Region ◽  
Short Allele ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

AbstractThe most stringent test of differential susceptibility theory is provided by randomized control trials examining the moderating role of genetic markers of differential susceptibility in experimental manipulations of the environment (Gene × Experimental Environment interactions), being at least 10 times more powerful than correlational Gene × Environment interaction studies. We identified 22 experiments involving 3,257 participants with various developmental outcomes (e.g., externalizing problems, internalizing behaviors, and cognitive development). Effect sizes contrasting experimental versus control group were computed both for subjects with the polymorphism considered indicative of heightened susceptibility (e.g., the dopamine receptor D4 gene seven-repeat allele and the serotonin transporter polymorphic region short allele) and others expected to be low in susceptibility (e.g., the dopamine receptor D4 gene four-repeat allele and the serotonin transporter polymorphic region short allele). Clear-cut experimental support for genetic differential susceptibility emerged: the combined effect size of the interventions for the susceptible genotypes amounted to r = .33 (95% confidence interval = 0.23, 0.42; p < .01) versus a nonsignificant r = .08 (95% confidence interval = −0.02, 0.17; p = .12) for the hypothesized nonsusceptible genotypes. Macrotrials showed more evidence of genetic differential susceptibility than microtrials, and differential susceptibility was more clearly observed in trials with externalizing and cognitive outcomes than with internalizing problems. This meta-analysis shows proof of principle for genetic differential susceptibility and indicates that it is time to explore its mechanisms and limits. The concept of differential susceptibility alters the idea of constitutional “risk” factors (reactive temperament and risk genotypes), and points to intervention efficacy hidden in Gene × Environment interactions.

Effects of an attachment-based intervention on daily cortisol moderated by dopamine receptor D4: A randomized control trial on 1- to 3-year-olds screened for externalizing behavior

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 805-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg ◽  
Marinus H. Van IJzendoorn ◽  
Judi Mesman ◽  
Lenneke R. A. Alink ◽  
Femmie Juffer
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Externalizing Behavior ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Maternal Sensitivity ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

AbstractThe effect of the Video-Feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) on daily cortisol production was tested in a randomized controlled trial with 130 families with 1- to 3-year-old children screened for their relatively high levels of externalizing behavior. Six 1.5-hr intervention sessions focusing on maternal sensitivity and discipline were conducted with individual families at their homes. Children in the intervention group showed lower cortisol levels, with a moderating role of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) VNTR exon III polymorphism. The VIPP-SD program proved to be effective in decreasing daily cortisol production in childrenwiththeDRD47-repeat allele, but not in childrenwithouttheDRD47-repeat allele. Our findings indicate that children are differentially susceptible to intervention effects dependent on the presence of the 7-repeatDRD4allele.

scholarly journals The influence of five monoamine genes on trajectories of depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Adkins ◽  
Jonathan K. Daw ◽  
Joseph L. McClay ◽  
Edwin J. C. G. van den Oord
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptom ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase A ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Symptom Trajectories ◽  
Adolescence And Young Adulthood ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

AbstractThe 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.

scholarly journals The dopamine receptor D4 7-repeat allele and prenatal smoking in ADHD-affected children and their unaffected siblings: no gene-environment interaction

2008 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 1053-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke E. Altink ◽  
Alejandro Arias-Vásquez ◽  
Barbara Franke ◽  
Dorine I.E. Slaats -Willemse ◽  
Cathelijne J.M. Buschgens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Prenatal Smoking ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Gene Environment Interaction ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

Parenting quality interacts with genetic variation in dopamine receptor D4 to influence temperament in early childhood

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 1039-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad E. Sheese ◽  
Pascale M. Voelker ◽  
Mary K. Rothbart ◽  
Michael I. Posner
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Allelic Variation ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Parenting Quality ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

AbstractWe examined the influence of a common allelic variation in the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene and caregiver quality on temperament in early childhood. Children 18–21 months of age were genotyped for the DRD4 48 base pair tandem repeat polymorphism, which has been implicated in the development of attention, sensation seeking, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The children also interacted with their caregiver for 10 min in a laboratory setting, and these videotaped interactions were coded for parenting quality using an observational rating procedure. The presence of the DRD4 7-repeat allele was associated with differences in the influence of parenting on a measure of temperamental sensation seeking constructed from caregiver reports on children's activity level, impulsivity, and high-intensity pleasure. Children with the 7-repeat allele were influenced by parenting quality, with lower quality parenting associated with higher levels of sensation seeking; children without the 7-repeat allele were uninfluenced by parenting quality. Differences between alleles were not related to the child's self-regulation as assessed by the effortful control measure. Previous studies have indicated that the 7-repeat allele is under positive selective pressure, and our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the DRD4 7-repeat allele increased children's sensitivity to environmental factors such as parenting. This study shows that genes influence the relation between parenting and temperament in ways that are important to normal development and psychopathology.

Genetic differential susceptibility in literacy-delayed children: A randomized controlled trial on emergent literacy in kindergarten

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Plak ◽  
Cornelia A. T. Kegel ◽  
Adriana G. Bus
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Text Comprehension ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Differential Susceptibility ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

AbstractIn this randomized controlled trial, 508 5-year-old kindergarten children participated, of whom 257 were delayed in literacy skills because they belonged to the lowest quartile of a national standard literacy test. We tested the hypothesis that some children are more susceptible to school-entry educational interventions than their peers due to their genetic makeup, and thus whether the dopamine receptor D4 gene moderated intervention effects. Children were randomly assigned to a control condition or one of two interventions involving computer programs tailored to the literacy needs of delayed pupils: Living Letters for alphabetic knowledge and Living Books for text comprehension. Effects of Living Books met the criteria of differential susceptibility. For carriers of the dopamine receptor D4 gene seven-repeat allele (about one-third of the delayed group), the Living Books program was an important addition to the common core curriculum in kindergarten (effect size d = 0.56), whereas the program did not affect the other children (d = –0.09). The same seven-repeat carriers benefited more from Living Letters than did the noncarriers, as reflected in effect sizes of 0.63 and 0.34, respectively, although such differences did not fulfill the statistical criteria for differential susceptibility. The implications of differential susceptibility for education and regarding the crucial question “what works for whom?” are discussed.

scholarly journals Gene–environment interaction between dopamine receptor D4 7-repeat polymorphism and early maternal sensitivity predicts inattention trajectories across middle childhood

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Berry ◽  
Kirby Deater-Deckard ◽  
Kathleen McCartney ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Stephen A. Petrill
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Maternal Sensitivity ◽  
Genetic Effect ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Differential Sensitivity ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Repeat Polymorphism ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

AbstractEvidence suggests that the 7-repeat variant of a 48 base pair variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene may be associated with the development of attention problems. A parallel literature suggests that genes linked to dopaminergic functioning may be associated with differential sensitivity to context, such that the direction of the genetic effect is hypothesized to vary across environmental experience. Guided by these literatures, we used data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development to consider (a) whether individual differences in children's inattention problems across middle childhood are predicted by gene–environment interactions between the DRD4 gene 7-repeat polymorphism and children's experiences of maternal sensitivity across infancy and early childhood and (b) the degree to which such interactions are consistent with the differential-sensitivity model. Largely consistent with the hypothesized model, gene–environment interactions indicated that, in the context of insensitive early maternal care, the DRD4 7-repeat polymorphism was associated with higher levels of inattention. Although somewhat less consistently, there was also evidence that, in the context of highly sensitive care, the 7-repeat polymorphism was associated with lower levels of inattention. Overall, the magnitude of the absolute genetic effect increased over time, as children's inattention trajectories diverged.

The dopamine receptor D4 7-repeat allele influences neurocognitive functioning, but this effect is moderated by age and ADHD status: An exploratory study

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke E. Altink ◽  
Nanda N.J. Rommelse ◽  
Dorine I.E. Slaats-Willemse ◽  
Alejandro Arias Väsquez ◽  
Barbara Franke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Neurocognitive Functioning ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

scholarly journals The Dopamine Receptor D4 Gene 7-Repeat Allele Interacts with Parenting Quality to Predict Effortful Control in Four-Year-Old Children

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad E. Sheese ◽  
Mary K. Rothbart ◽  
Pascale M. Voelker ◽  
Michael I. Posner
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Effortful Control ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Repeat Allele ◽  
Peer Attitudes ◽  
Parenting Quality ◽  
Dopamine Receptor D4

The dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) 7-repeat allele has been found to interact with environmental factors such as parenting in children and peer attitudes in adults to influence aspects of behavior such as risk taking. We previously found that in toddlers, lower-quality parenting in combination with the 7-repeat allele of the DRD4 gene was associated with greater parent-reported Sensation Seeking (SS), but was unrelated to Effortful Control (EC). We now report findings from a followup assessment with the same sample of children showing that parenting quality interacts with the presence of the 7-repeat allele to predict EC in 3- to 4-year-old children. The change in these patterns of results may reflect the increased role of the executive attention network in older children and adults. However, due to the small sample size (N=52) and the novelty of the results, these findings should be treated with caution and considered preliminary until they are replicated in an independent sample.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document