Abstract
BackgroundThe A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the μ‐opioid receptor gene, with high expression of the A allele and low expression of the G allele, has been associated with emotional/behavioral dysregulation and depressive disorders and is recognized as a mediator of affiliative behavior. No study has thus far investigated this SNP in school‐age children with disruptive mood regulation disorder (DMDD). This study compared a sample of healthy children and their mothers with a sample of children with DMDD and their mothers, evaluating whether insecure attachment and psychopathological symptoms are associated with A allele‐ or G allele‐carrying mothers and children and whether caregiving capacities are associated with A allele‐ or G allele‐carrying mothers.MethodsFor evaluation of their psychopathological symptoms and attachment styles, mothers filled out the CBCL/6‐18, the SCL‐90‐R, and the ECR. To evaluate the types of relationship children were experiencing with their mothers, children filled out the ECR‐revised child version and the PBI. Genotypic analyses were conducted on DNA samples obtained by buccal swabbing from children and mothers.ResultsAn insecure attachment style was more frequent in mothers and children carrying the G allele (G/G + A/G genotypes). In the clinical sample, G allele‐carrying children scored higher than homozygous A/A ones on the subscales of Withdrawal and Conduct Problems. G‐carrying mothers showed higher interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, and paranoid ideation and provided less care than A/A mothers.ConclusionsThis study offers new insights into the associations between the A118G SNP of the μ‐opioid receptor gene and emotional/behavioral functioning, attachment style in children, and psychopathology and caregiving ability in mothers.
Highlights
The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the μ-opioid receptor gene, with high expression of the A allele and low expression of the G allele, has been associated with emotional/behavioral dysregulation and depressive disorders and is recognized as a mediator of affiliative behavior
In agreement with the effect of the A118G SNP differentiating A/A subjects from G allele carriers (A/G and G/G), we have evaluated whether subjects enrolled in the present study, sorted for the presence or absence of the G allele, may be differentiated regarding (a) secure/insecure attachment; (b) psychopathological symptoms; and (c) caregiving ability
The two SNPs have probably arisen recently in human evolution, producing amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal region of the receptor protein, which appears to have a low degree of selection constraint. (In support of this notion is the observation that while synonymous polymorphisms are scattered throughout the receptor, an excess of nonsynonymous changes is present in the N-terminal region)
Summary
The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the μ-opioid receptor gene, with high expression of the A allele and low expression of the G allele, has been associated with emotional/behavioral dysregulation and depressive disorders and is recognized as a mediator of affiliative behavior. Conclusions: This study offers new insights into the associations between the A118G SNP of the μ-opioid receptor gene and emotional/behavioral functioning, attachment style in children, and psychopathology and caregiving ability in mothers. It has been suggested that the opioid receptor system has evolutionary utility, due to its contribution to the hedonistic pleasure that can be obtained through social interaction and the pain that can derive from social exclusion (Eisenberger, 2012) In line with these findings, the theoretical framework of the brain opioid hypothesis of social attachment, originally formulated by Panksepp and colleagues (Panksepp, Herman, Conner, Bishop, & Scott, 1978), postulates that a reduction in activity of the opioid system increases the desire for social companionship, while an increased activation of this system reduces the need for affiliation (Herman & Panksepp, 1978; Stein, van Honk, Ipser, Solms, & Panksepp, 2007). Consistent with this hypothesis, evidence has been collected in many animal species using several distinct behavioral parameters (Barr et al, 2008; Moles, Kieffer, & D’Amato, 2004)
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