EVIDENCE FOR DISTINCT GENETIC EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH RESPONSE TO 35% CO2. Issue 3 (24th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roberson‐Nay, Roxann; Moruzzi, Sara; Ogliari, Anna; Pezzica, Elettra; Tambs, Kristian; Kendler, Kenneth S.; Battaglia, Marco
• Is Part Of: Depression and anxiety. Volume 30:Issue 3(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 259
• Page End: 266
• Publication Date: 2013-01-24
• Subjects: Anxiety -- Periodicals; Depression, Mental -- Periodicals; Depression -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8527005
• DOI: 10.1002/da.22038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1091-4269

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="da22038-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) hypersensitivity represents an individual difference response to breathing CO<sub>2</sub> enriched air. People with a history of panic attacks or panic disorder are particularly prone to anxious response, suggesting that CO<sub>2</sub> hypersensitivity is a robust risk marker of panic spectrum vulnerability.</p> </sec> <sec id="da22038-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Twin pairs (n = 346) from the general population‐based Norwegian NIPH Mental Health Study completed a measure of anxiety before and after vital capacity inhalation of 35% CO<sub>2</sub> air and before and after inhalation of regular air. Three hypotheses regarding genetic factors for CO<sub>2</sub> hypersensitivity were examined: (1) a single set of genetic risk factors impacts anxiety before exposure to CO<sub>2</sub> and these same genes constitute the only genetic influences on anxiety in response to CO<sub>2</sub>, (2) the genetic effects on pre‐CO<sub>2</sub> anxiety are entirely different from the genetic effects on anxiety in response to exposure to CO<sub>2</sub> (i.e., new genetic effects), and (3) pre‐CO<sub>2</sub> anxiety influences anxiety in response to CO<sub>2</sub> as well as unique genetic factors that become activated by respiratory stimulation.</p> </sec> <sec id="da22038-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Our results support the latter hypothesis for response to 35% CO<sub>2</sub>, with additive genetic and unique environmental factors best fitting the data. Evidence of new genetic effects was observed, accounting for 20% unique variance in post 35% CO<sub>2</sub> anxiety response. New genetic effects were not observed for anxiety ratings made post regular air where only preregular air anxiety ratings explained significant variance in this outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="da22038-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These data suggest that there are distinct genetic factors associated with responsivity to respiratory stimulation via 35% CO<sub>2</sub>.</p> </sec> </abstract>