6533b7dafe1ef96bd126f56d
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Adult attachment and gene polymorphisms of the dopamine D4 receptor and serotonin transporter (5-HTT).
Gottfried SpanglerIris Reinersubject
AdultMalemedicine.medical_specialtyCandidate geneGenotypePsychometricsStatistics as TopicExonDopamineRisk Factorsmental disordersInterview PsychologicalDevelopmental and Educational PsychologymedicineAttachment theoryHumansAllelePsychiatryGeneSerotonin transporterRetrospective StudiesGeneticsSerotonin Plasma Membrane Transport ProteinsPolymorphism GeneticbiologyReceptors Dopamine D4Middle AgedObject AttachmentPsychiatry and Mental healthCross-Sectional StudiesPhenotypebiology.proteinFemalePsychologyAttachment measuresmedicine.drugdescription
Recently, the Dopamine D4 Receptor Gene (DRD4) and the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTT) have been found to be candidate genes for infant attachment disorganization. The present study aimed to explore the relationship of these genes to adult attachment representations. The Adult Attachment Interview was used to assess attachment representations in 167 German adults. DNA from buccal cells was genotyped for the DRD4 VNTR Exon III and 5-HTT LPR polymorphisms with respect to the presence of the 7repeat allele and the short allele, respectively. DRD4 7repeat allele carriers were significantly more likely to be securely attached than those without 7repeat but only for subjects with unloving caregiver recollections. No association between the 5-HTT LPR polymorphism and adult attachment was found. These findings encourage further investigations to explore endophenotypical and mediating psychological processes between the DRD4 Gene and secure attachment patterns.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-05-01 | Attachmenthuman development |