Beyond the usual suspects: a multidimensional genetic exploration of infant attachment disorganization and security.

Irene Pappa, Eszter Szekely, Viara R Mileva-Seitz, Maartje P C M Luijk, Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marinus H van IJzendoorn, Henning Tiemeier

Attachment & human development 2015

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Although the environmental influences on infant attachment disorganization and security are well-studied, little is known about their heritability. Candidate gene studies have shown small, often non-replicable effects. In this study, we gathered the largest sample (N = 657) of ethnically homogenous, 14-month-old children with both observed attachment and genome-wide data. First, we used a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) approach to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with attachment disorganization and security. Second, we annotated them into genes (Versatile Gene-based Association Study) and functional pathways. Our analyses provide evidence of novel genes (HDAC1, ZNF675, BSCD1) and pathways (synaptic transmission, cation transport) associated with attachment disorganization. Similar analyses identified a novel gene (BECN1) but no distinct pathways associated with attachment security. The results of this first extensive, exploratory study on the molecular-genetic basis of infant attachment await replication in large, independent samples.

Citation

Irene Pappa, Eszter Szekely, Viara R Mileva-Seitz, Maartje P C M Luijk, Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marinus H van IJzendoorn, Henning Tiemeier. Beyond the usual suspects: a multidimensional genetic exploration of infant attachment disorganization and security. Attachment & human development. 2015;17(3):288-301