Interaction of CD38 Variant and Chronic Interpersonal Stress Prospectively Predicts Social Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Over 6 Years. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tabak, Benjamin A.; Vrshek-Schallhorn, Suzanne; Zinbarg, Richard E.; Prenoveau, Jason M.; Mineka, Susan; Redei, Eva E.; Adam, Emma K.; Craske, Michelle G.
• Is Part Of: Clinical psychological science. Volume 4:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: CD38 -- social anxiety -- depression -- trait-state-occasion modeling -- interpersonal stress -- gene–environment interaction -- oxytocin; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1177/2167702615577470
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-7026

Abstract

Variation in the CD38 gene, which regulates secretion of the neuropeptide oxytocin, has been associated with several social phenotypes. Specifically, rs3796863 A allele carriers have demonstrated increased social sensitivity. In 400 older adolescents, we used trait-state-occasion modeling to investigate how rs3796863 genotype, baseline ratings of chronic interpersonal stress, and their gene–environment (G×E) interaction predicted trait social anxiety and depression symptoms over 6 years. We found significant G×E effects for CD38 A-carrier genotypes and chronic interpersonal stress at baseline predicting greater social anxiety and depression symptoms. A significant G×E effect of smaller magnitude was also found for C/C genotype and chronic interpersonal stress predicting greater depression; however, this effect was small compared with the main effect of chronic interpersonal stress. Thus, in the context of chronic interpersonal stress, heightened social sensitivity associated with the rs3796863 A allele may prospectively predict risk for social anxiety and (to a lesser extent) depression.