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Liu SH, Chao TF. Relationship Between Neuroticism and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation. JACC. ASIA 2024; 4:148-149. [PMID: 38371286 PMCID: PMC10866729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacasi.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Huei Liu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tze-Fan Chao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Rhee TM, Choi J, Choi EK, Lee KY, Ahn HJ, Kwon S, Lee SR, Oh S, Lip GY. Neuroticism and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: An Observational Epidemiologic and Mendelian Randomization Study. JACC. ASIA 2024; 4:138-147. [PMID: 38371284 PMCID: PMC10866734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacasi.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Background The association between neuroticism and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown. Objectives This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and causal relationships between neuroticism and AF. Methods Individuals without AF history were selected From the UK Biobank nationwide prospective cohort study. Participants were divided into 2 groups (high and low) based on the median summary score from a self-questionnaire of 12 neurotic behavior domains. The 10-year AF risk was compared between the neuroticism score groups using inverse probability of treatment weighting. The causal relationship between neuroticism and AF was evaluated using a 2-sample summary-level Mendelian randomization with the inverse variance-weighted method. Results Of 394,834 participants (mean age 56.3 ± 8.1 years, 45.9% male), AF occurred in 23,509 (6.0%) during a 10-year follow-up. The risk of incident AF significantly increased in the high neuroticism score group (score ≥4) (inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.09; P = 0.005) compared with the low neuroticism group. In the subgroup analysis, younger age, lower body mass index, or nonsmoker/ex-smoker participants were particularly susceptible to increased AF risk due to high neuroticism scores. A Mendelian randomization analysis showed a significant causal relationship between an increase in neuroticism score and increased risk of AF (OR by inverse variance-weighted method 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.11; P = 0.007) without evidence of reverse causality. Conclusions There was a significant longitudinal and causal relationship between neuroticism and AF. An integrated care including active mental health screening and management may benefit in high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Min Rhee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - JungMin Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eue-Keun Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Yeon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Jeong Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soonil Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Ryoung Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seil Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gregory Y.H. Lip
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Chest and Heart Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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3
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Li Y, Cai H, Li X, Qian Y, Zhang C, Zhu J, Yu Y. Functional connectivity of the central autonomic and default mode networks represent neural correlates and predictors of individual personality. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:2187-2200. [PMID: 36069656 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
There is solid evidence for the prominent involvement of the central autonomic and default mode systems in shaping personality. However, whether functional connectivity of these systems can represent neural correlates and predictors of individual variation in personality traits is largely unknown. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 215 healthy young adults were used to construct the sympathetic (SN), parasympathetic (PN), and default mode (DMN) networks, with intra- and internetwork functional connectivity measured. Personality factors were assessed using the five-factor model. We examined the associations between personality factors and functional network connectivity, followed by performance of personality prediction based on functional connectivity using connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM), a recently developed machine learning approach. All personality factors (neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness) other than openness were significantly correlated with intra- and internetwork functional connectivity of the SN, PN, and DMN. Moreover, the CPM models successfully predicted conscientiousness and agreeableness at the individual level using functional network connectivity. Our findings may expand existing knowledge regarding the neural substrates underlying personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Huanhuan Cai
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xueying Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yinfeng Qian
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Cun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medical Imaging, Anhui Province, Hefei, China.,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, China
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4
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Sun X, Chen L, Wang Z, Lu Y, Chen M, He Y, Xu H, Zheng L. Association of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neuroticism, and Subjective Well-Being With Cardiovascular Diseases: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:676030. [PMID: 34179139 PMCID: PMC8225943 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.676030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous observational studies have reported an association between psychiatric traits and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study, we aimed to investigate the causality between psychiatric traits and CVDs. Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), neuroticism, and subjective well-being at genome-wide significance (P < 1 × 10−8) were identified from genome-wide association studies. Summary-level data of the outcomes, including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), atrial fibrillation (AF), and heart failure (HF), were obtained from several largest datasets. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as our main analyses to conduct this MR study. Sensitivity analyses included the weighted median, the MR-robust adjusted profile score (MR-RAPS), and the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) method. Repeated MR analyses using a more relaxed threshold (P < 1 × 10−6) for instruments selection and multivariable MR analyses were also applied to evaluate the robustness of results. Results: The MR analyses showed that genetic predisposition to ASD was associated with a higher risk of AF [odds ratio (OR), 1.109; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.023–1.201; P = 0.011] and HF (OR, 1.138; 95% CI, 1.036–1.251; P = 0.007). Neuroticism was casually associated with an increased risk of AF (OR, 1.201; 95% CI, 1.037–1.392; P = 0.015), whereas subjective well-being had a protective effect on HF (OR, 0.732; 95% CI, 0.574–0.933; P = 0.012). No other causal association between psychiatric traits and CVDs was observed. Consistent results were obtained in sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: This study provided evidence of causal associations of ASD with a higher risk of AF and HF. Besides, neuroticism was casually associated with an increased risk of AF, and subjective well-being was associated with a decreased risk of HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingang Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunlong Lu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miao Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxian He
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongfei Xu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liangrong Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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5
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Stuart KE, Padgett C. A Systematic Review of the Association Between Psychological Stress and Dementia Risk in Humans. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 78:335-352. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-191096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: It has been estimated that one third of dementia cases may be preventable through modifiable lifestyle interventions. Epidemiological evidence suggests a link between stressful life events and aging-related cognitive decline and dementia; however, inherent methodological limitations in examining subjective and biological measures of stress separately leads to interpretive constraints. Objective: The aim of the current study was to conduct a systematic review of the research literature investigating the effect of perceived and biological measures of stress on dementia risk. Methods: A systematic review was conducted of cohort, case-control, longitudinal prospective or retrospective studies examining the association between stress and risk of developing dementia. Studies were identified from a systematic search across major electronic databases from inception to February 2020. Results: Overall, 22 studies were identified including a total of 496,556 participants, approximately 50% were females, with sample sizes ranging from 62–270,977. There was considerable heterogeneity in the definition and measurement of stress. Most of the identified studies reported a significant positive association between stress and dementia risk. Conclusion: Evidenced from the current review is that personality traits linked to increased perceived stress and elevated reported perceived stress, are associated with greater statistical risk for dementia. However, this review highlights that caution must be exhibited in interpreting these findings, as methodological issues with confounding adjustment may mediate these results. Future research should focus on the investigation of stress on dementia risk with a full range of confounding adjustment, and on biological measures of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley E. Stuart
- Division of Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Christine Padgett
- Division of Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
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6
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Higher Anxiety Is Associated with Lower Cardiovascular Autonomic Function in Female Twins. Twin Res Hum Genet 2020; 23:156-164. [PMID: 32539904 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2020.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety symptoms co-occur with cardiovascular health problems, with increasing evidence suggesting the role of autonomic dysfunction. Yet, there is limited behavior genetic research on underlying mechanisms. In this twin study, we investigated the phenotypic, genetic and environmental associations between a latent anxiety factor and three cardiovascular autonomic function factors: interbeat interval (IBI, time between heart beats), heart rate variability (HRV, overall fluctuation of heart-beat intervals) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS, efficiency in regulating blood pressure [BP]). Multivariate twin models were fit using data of female twins (N = 250) of the Twin Interdisciplinary Neuroticism Study (TWINS). A significant negative association was identified between latent anxiety and BRS factors (r = -.24, 95% CI [-.40, -.07]). Findings suggest that this relationship was mostly explained by correlated shared environmental influences, and there was no evidence for pleiotropic genetic or unique environmental effects. We also identified negative relationships between anxiety symptoms and HRV (r = -.17, 95% CI [-.34, .00]) and IBI factors (r = -.13, 95% CI [-.29, .04]), though these associations did not reach statistical significance. Findings implicate that higher anxiety scores are associated with decreased efficiency in short-term BP regulation, providing support for autonomic dysfunction with anxiety symptomatology. The baroreflex system may be a key mechanism underlying the anxiety-cardiovascular health relationship.
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7
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Gray JM, Tully EC. Cognitive reappraisal moderates the quadratic association between heart rate variability and negative affectivity. Psychophysiology 2020; 57:e13584. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M. Gray
- Department of Psychology Georgia State University Atlanta GA USA
| | - Erin C. Tully
- Department of Psychology Georgia State University Atlanta GA USA
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8
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Hengartner MP. [A Patient´s Personality: A Frequently Ignored but Important Component in General Medical Practice]. PRAXIS 2018; 107:641-647. [PMID: 29871573 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a002998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A Patient´s Personality: A Frequently Ignored but Important Component in General Medical Practice Abstract. In general medical practice, a patient's personality is hardly considered and assessed. In this mini-review the author summarises how a comprehensive personality assessment may provide valuable patient information. Prospective effects of personality traits on general lifestyle as well as mental and physical health are presented. In addition, original research is introduced that shows meaningful associations between personality traits, clinical disease markers, and all-cause mortality. These findings are discussed with respect to selected etiological models. The studies illustrate that a personality assessment could be a useful aid for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hengartner
- 1 Departement für Angewandte Psychologie, Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Zürich
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9
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Tegegne BS, Man T, van Roon AM, Riese H, Snieder H. Determinants of heart rate variability in the general population: The Lifelines Cohort Study. Heart Rhythm 2018; 15:1552-1558. [PMID: 29753022 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart rate variability (HRV) is an important marker of heart health, with low values reflecting reduced vagal control of the heart rhythm. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which a broad range of demographic (age, sex), lifestyle (physical activity, smoking, alcohol use), and psychosocial factors (stress, social well-being, neuroticism) explain individual differences in HRV in the general population. METHODS Using baseline data of 10-second electrocardiograms from the Lifelines Cohort Study (n = 149,205; 58.7% female; mean age ± SD: 44.6 ± 13.2 years), we calculated the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) between adjacent interbeat intervals as an index of cardiac parasympathetic nervous system activity. We also calculated RMSSD adjusted for its dependency on heart rate (cRMSSD). The association of demographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors with RMSSD was assessed using hierarchical linear regression models adjusting for potential confounding effects of medication use, disease, and body mass index. RESULTS HRV strongly declined with age and was consistently higher in women. These demographic factors together explained 17.4% of the variance in RMSSD and 21.9% in cRMSSD. Physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking showed some significant associations with RMSSD, but stress, social well-being, and neuroticism did not. Adding lifestyle and psychosocial factors to the model additionally explained <0.50% of the variance. CONCLUSION Age and sex were the most important determinants in this very large general population cohort, explaining almost one-fifth of the individual differences in HRV. The additional contribution of lifestyle and psychosocial factors was negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balewgizie Sileshi Tegegne
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Tengfei Man
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arie M van Roon
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Harriëtte Riese
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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10
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Savage JE, Sawyers C, Roberson-Nay R, Hettema JM. The genetics of anxiety-related negative valence system traits. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:156-177. [PMID: 27196537 PMCID: PMC5349709 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
NIMH's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) domain of negative valence systems (NVS) captures constructs of negative affect such as fear and distress traditionally subsumed under the various internalizing disorders. Through its aims to capture dimensional measures that cut across diagnostic categories and are linked to underlying neurobiological systems, a large number of phenotypic constructs have been proposed as potential research targets. Since "genes" represent a central "unit of analysis" in the RDoC matrix, it is important for studies going forward to apply what is known about the genetics of these phenotypes as well as fill in the gaps of existing knowledge. This article reviews the extant genetic epidemiological data (twin studies, heritability) and molecular genetic association findings for a broad range of putative NVS phenotypic measures. We find that scant genetic epidemiological data is available for experimentally derived measures such as attentional bias, peripheral physiology, or brain-based measures of threat response. The molecular genetic basis of NVS phenotypes is in its infancy, since most studies have focused on a small number of candidate genes selected for putative association to anxiety disorders (ADs). Thus, more research is required to provide a firm understanding of the genetic aspects of anxiety-related NVS constructs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne E. Savage
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Chelsea Sawyers
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Roxann Roberson-Nay
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - John M. Hettema
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
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11
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Wagner J, Tennen H, Finan P, Feinn R, Burg MM, Seawell A, White WB. Exposure to Racial Discrimination and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Women with Type 2 Diabetes. Stress Health 2016; 32:337-345. [PMID: 25641796 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes is the only disorder in which women's risk for heart disease exceeds men's. Elevated blood pressure (BP) increases cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes. Racial discrimination and neuroticism are both associated with BP levels but have not been examined in concert. This study investigated self-reported racial discrimination, neuroticism and ambulatory BP in women with type 2 diabetes. Thirty-nine Black and 38 White women completed a race-neutral version of the Schedule of Racist Events; BP was evaluated using ambulatory monitoring devices. Actigraphy and diaries were used to document times of sleep and wakefulness. Racial discrimination interacted with neuroticism to predict systolic and diastolic BP both while awake and during sleep, after adjustment for covariates. For each, the influence of racist events was stronger at lower levels of neuroticism. Racial discrimination is associated with higher levels of 24-h BP in diabetic women who are low in neuroticism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Wagner
- Behavioral Sciences and Community Health, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Howard Tennen
- Community Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Patrick Finan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Richard Feinn
- Medical Sciences, Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter School of Medicine, Hamden, CT, USA
| | - Matthew M Burg
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Asani Seawell
- Department of Psychology, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, USA
| | - William B White
- Calhoun Cardiology Center, Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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12
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Somatic concerns, depressive traits, atherosclerosis and the incidence of cardiovascular disease in ageing Finnish men. J Psychosom Res 2015; 79:207-13. [PMID: 26013320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of somatic concerns and depressive traits on carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and on the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS In the cross-sectional study of 2682 Finnish men aged 42 to 61years, a subsample of 1333 men had their carotid artery IMT recorded. In the prospective part of the study participants (n=1453) were followed up for an average of 20years. Data on incident CVD (n=766) were obtained from the National Population Register. For both subsamples, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was used to measure depressive traits and somatic concerns. In addition, composite scales of general ill-being, sleep and pain problems, psychological well-being, energy level, and cheerfulness were formed. RESULTS In the final corrected models there were no significant associations between somatic concerns or depressive traits and IMT. Both somatic concerns and depressive traits predicted a higher CVD incidence after adjustments for age and risk factors. The association between depressive traits and CVD incidence was highest among the subgroup of men with the highest levels of hsCRP, but this result did not reach statistical significance. Of the composite scales, general ill-being predicted a higher CVD incidence in the fully adjusted model, even when all the composite scales were entered into the model simultaneously. CONCLUSION Somatic concerns and depressive traits predict a higher CVD incidence. In particular, general ill-being contributes to this association. The association between depressive traits and CVD may be moderated by low-grade inflammation.
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13
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Riese H, Muñoz LM, Hartman CA, Ding X, Su S, Oldehinkel AJ, van Roon AM, van der Most PJ, Lefrandt J, Gansevoort RT, van der Harst P, Verweij N, Licht CMM, Boomsma DI, Hottenga JJ, Willemsen G, Penninx BWJH, Nolte IM, de Geus EJC, Wang X, Snieder H. Identifying genetic variants for heart rate variability in the acetylcholine pathway. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112476. [PMID: 25384021 PMCID: PMC4226560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart rate variability is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. The acetylcholine pathway plays a key role in explaining heart rate variability in humans. We assessed whether 443 genotyped and imputed common genetic variants in eight key genes (CHAT, SLC18A3, SLC5A7, CHRNB4, CHRNA3, CHRNA, CHRM2 and ACHE) of the acetylcholine pathway were associated with variation in an established measure of heart rate variability reflecting parasympathetic control of the heart rhythm, the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) of normal RR intervals. The association was studied in a two stage design in individuals of European descent. First, analyses were performed in a discovery sample of four cohorts (n = 3429, discovery stage). Second, findings were replicated in three independent cohorts (n = 3311, replication stage), and finally the two stages were combined in a meta-analysis (n = 6740). RMSSD data were obtained under resting conditions. After correction for multiple testing, none of the SNPs showed an association with RMSSD. In conclusion, no common genetic variants for heart rate variability were identified in the largest and most comprehensive candidate gene study on the acetylcholine pathway to date. Future gene finding efforts for RMSSD may want to focus on hypothesis free approaches such as the genome-wide association study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriëtte Riese
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation (ICPE), Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (HR); (HS)
| | - Loretto M. Muñoz
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina A. Hartman
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation (ICPE), Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Xiuhua Ding
- Departments of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Shaoyong Su
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Albertine J. Oldehinkel
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation (ICPE), Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arie M. van Roon
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J. van der Most
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop Lefrandt
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ron T. Gansevoort
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim van der Harst
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Cardiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Verweij
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Cardiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dorret I. Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, EMGO institute for Health and Care research, VU University & VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jouke-Jan Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, EMGO institute for Health and Care research, VU University & VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gonneke Willemsen
- Department of Biological Psychology, EMGO institute for Health and Care research, VU University & VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ilja M. Nolte
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eco J. C. de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, EMGO institute for Health and Care research, VU University & VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (HR); (HS)
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Neijts M, Van Lien R, Kupper N, Boomsma D, Willemsen G, de Geus EJC. Heritability of cardiac vagal control in 24-h heart rate variability recordings: influence of ceiling effects at low heart rates. Psychophysiology 2014; 51:1023-36. [PMID: 24894483 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.12246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study estimated the heritability of 24-h heart rate variability (HRV) measures, while considering ceiling effects on HRV at low heart rates during the night. HRV was indexed by the standard deviation of all valid interbeat intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of differences between valid, successive interbeat intervals (RMSSD), and peak-valley respiratory sinus arrhythmia (pvRSA). Sleep and waking levels of cardiac vagal control were assessed in 1,003 twins and 285 of their non-twin siblings. Comparable heritability estimates were found for SDNN (46%-53%), RMSSD (49%-54%), and pvRSA (48%-57%) during the day and night. A nighttime ceiling effect was revealed in 10.7% of participants by a quadratic relationship between mean pvRSA and the interbeat interval. Excluding these participants did not change the heritability estimates. The genetic factors influencing ambulatory pvRSA, RMSSD, and SDNN largely overlap. These results suggest that gene-finding studies may pool the different cardiac vagal indices and that exclusion of participants with low heart rates is not required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Neijts
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije University (VU) Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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15
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The relationship between neuroticism and inflammatory markers: a twin study. Twin Res Hum Genet 2014; 17:177-82. [PMID: 24735719 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2014.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroticism is an important marker of vulnerability for both mental and physical disorders. Its link with multiple etiological pathways has been studied before. Inflammatory markers have been demonstrated to predict similar mental and physical disorders as neuroticism. However, currently no study has focused on the shared genetic background of neuroticism and inflammatory markers. In the present study we will focus on the phenotypic and genetic relationship between neuroticism and three commonly used inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and Immunoglobulin-G (IgG). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in 125 Dutch female twin pairs. For each participant, four different neuroticism scores were available to calculate a neuroticism composite score that was used in the statistical analyses. Blood samples for inflammatory marker determination were taken after an overnight fast. Heritabilities, phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated using bivariate structural equation modeling. RESULTS Heritabilities are fair for neuroticism (0.55), CRP (0.52) and fibrinogen (0.67) and moderate for IgG (0.43). No significant phenotypic or genetic correlations were found between neuroticism and the inflammatory markers. Interaction models yielded no moderation of the genetic and environmental pathways in the regulation of inflammatory markers by neuroticism. CONCLUSION Substantial heritabilities were observed for all variables. No evidence was found for significant shared (or moderation of) genetic or environmental pathways underlying neuroticism and inflammatory status.
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The biological and psychological basis of neuroticism: Current status and future directions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:59-72. [PMID: 23068306 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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17
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Abstract
The Twin Interdisciplinary Neuroticism Study (TWINS) is a three-wave study including >800 twin pairs from the northern part of the Netherlands. The aim of the study is to unravel why neuroticism reflects vulnerability to mental disorders. In this study, we focus on possible mechanisms underlying this vulnerability and their genetic and environmental origins. In total, 125 female twin pairs visited our psychophysiological laboratory. From these twin pairs DNA was isolated and both candidate gene and genome-wide genotyping were conducted. Future work includes studies of candidate genes. The study also participates in several meta-genome-wide association study (GWAS) consortia.
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18
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Abstract
BACKGROUND There are well-established relations between personality and the heart, as evidenced by associations between negative emotions on the one hand, and coronary heart disease or chronic heart failure on the other. However, there are substantial gaps in our knowledge about relations between the heart and personality in healthy individuals. Here, we investigated whether amplitude patterns of the electrocardiogram (ECG) correlate with neurotisicm, extraversion, agreeableness, warmth, positive emotion, and tender-mindedness as measured with the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness (NEO) personality inventory. Specifically, we investigated (a) whether a cardiac amplitude measure that was previously reported to be related to flattened affectivity (referred to as Eκ values) would explain variance of NEO scores, and (b) whether correlations can be found between NEO scores and amplitudes of the ECG. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS NEO scores and rest ECGs were obtained from 425 healthy individuals. Neuroticism and positive emotion significantly differed between individuals with high and low Eκ values. In addition, stepwise cross-validated regressions indicated correlations between ECG amplitudes and (a) agreeableness, as well as (b) positive emotion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These results are the first to demonstrate that ECG amplitude patterns provide information about the personality of an individual as measured with NEO personality scales and facets. These findings open new perspectives for a more efficient personality assessment using cardiac measures, as well as for more efficient risk-stratification and pre-clinical diagnosis of individuals at risk for cardiac, affective and psychosomatic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Koelsch
- Cluster of Excellence Languages of Emotion, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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19
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Oldehinkel AJ, Bouma EMC. Sensitivity to the depressogenic effect of stress and HPA-axis reactivity in adolescence: a review of gender differences. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2010; 35:1757-70. [PMID: 21040743 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2010] [Revised: 10/19/2010] [Accepted: 10/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is characterized by major biological, psychological, and social challenges, as well as by an increase in depression rates. This review focuses on the association between stressful experiences and depression in adolescence, and the possible role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA-)axis in this link. Adolescent girls have a higher probability to develop depressive symptoms than adolescent boys and preadolescents. Increasing evidence indicates that girls' higher risk of depression is partly brought about by an increased sensitivity for stressful life events, particularly interpersonal stressors, which are highly prevalent in adolescent girls. Genetic risk factors for depression, as well as those for stress sensitivity, are often expressed differently in girls and boys. Also environmental adversity tends to affect girls' stress responses more than those of boys. These gender-specific association patterns have been reported for both sensitivity to stressful life events and HPA-axis responses to social stress. Together, the findings suggest that girls are more malleable than boys in response to internal and external influences. This postulated greater malleability may be adaptive in many circumstances, but also brings along risk, such as an increased probability of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albertine J Oldehinkel
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychiatric Epidemiology, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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20
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Heart Rate Variability Predicts Cognitive Reactivity to a Sad Mood Provocation. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-010-9324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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21
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Paine P, Worthen SF, Gregory LJ, Thompson DG, Aziz Q. Personality differences affect brainstem autonomic responses to visceral pain. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2009; 21:1155-e98. [PMID: 19538443 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01348.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Brainstem autonomic nuclei integrate interoceptive inputs including pain, with descending modulation, to produce homeostatic and defence outputs. Cardiac Vagal Control is especially implicated in psychophysiological processes for both health and disease and is indexed non-invasively by heart rate variability. The study aim was to determine the nature of psychophysiological response profiles for visceral pain. Nineteen healthy subjects had electrocardiographic recordings at rest and during 10 painful oesophageal balloon distensions. Cardiac Vagal Control originating from nucleus ambiguus (CVC(NA)) was determined by polynomial filter application to the electrocardiogram inter-beat interval series. Heart rate and 'Cardiac Sympathetic Index (CSI)' were also determined. Psychological state and trait, including neuroticism and extroversion, were assessed. Subjects who increased CVC(NA) to pain were more neurotic, anxious and sensory sensitive than those who decreased CVC(NA.) Cluster analysis identified two psychophysiological groups: Group 1 (n = 11) demonstrated lower baseline CVC(NA) (P = 0.0001), higher heart rate (P = 0.02) and CSI (P = 0.015), pain tolerance at lower balloon volumes (P = 0.04), but attenuated heart rate response to pain (P = 0.01). Group 2 (n = 8) had the converse profile. Neuroticism scores were higher (P = 0.0004) and extroversion lower (P = 0.01) for group 1 than group 2. Two distinct psychophysiological response profiles to visceral pain exist that are influenced by personality. These may reflect different psychobiological bases for active and passive defence repertoires. Prevalence and clinical relevance of these endophenotypes as vulnerability factors for pain and emotion disorders warrant further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Paine
- Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Hope Hospital, University of Manchester, UK
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Riese H, Rijsdijk FV, Rosmalen JGM, Snieder H, Ormel J. Neuroticism and Morning Cortisol Secretion: Both Heritable, But No Shared Genetic Influences. J Pers 2009; 77:1561-75. [PMID: 19678874 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00592.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harriëtte Riese
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Neumann SA, Tingley WG, Conklin BR, Shrader CJ, Peet E, Muldoon MF, Jennings JR, Ferrell RE, Manuck SB. AKAP10 (I646V) functional polymorphism predicts heart rate and heart rate variability in apparently healthy, middle-aged European-Americans. Psychophysiology 2009; 46:466-72. [PMID: 19496216 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00802.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous evidence suggests that the dual-specific A kinase-anchoring protein 2 functional polymorphism (AKAP10 (A/G) I646V) influences heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in mice and humans (N=122) with cardiovascular disease. Here, we asked whether this AKAP10 variant predicts HR and HRV in a large sample of healthy humans. Resting HR and short-term time and frequency domain measures of HRV (5 min during paced and unpaced respiration conditions) were assessed in a U.S. community sample (N=1,033) of generally healthy men and women (age 30-54) of European ancestry. Each person was genotyped for the AKAP10 variant. As with previous work, the AKAP10 Val allele predicted greater resting HR (Paced p<.01; Unpaced p<.03) and diminished HRV (Paced ps <.05) suggesting that this variant may modulate the sensitivity of cardiac pacemaker cells to autonomic inputs, possibly conferring risk for arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
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Paine P, Kishor J, Worthen SF, Gregory LJ, Aziz Q. Exploring relationships for visceral and somatic pain with autonomic control and personality. Pain 2009; 144:236-244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2009.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2008] [Revised: 02/24/2009] [Accepted: 02/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Abstract
The personality trait of neuroticism refers to relatively stable tendencies to respond with negative emotions to threat, frustration, or loss. Individuals in the population vary markedly on this trait, ranging from frequent and intense emotional reactions to minor challenges to little emotional reaction even in the face of significant difficulties. Although not widely appreciated, there is growing evidence that neuroticism is a psychological trait of profound public health significance. Neuroticism is a robust correlate and predictor of many different mental and physical disorders, comorbidity among them, and the frequency of mental and general health service use. Indeed, neuroticism apparently is a predictor of the quality and longevity of our lives. Achieving a full understanding of the nature and origins of neuroticism, and the mechanisms through which neuroticism is linked to mental and physical disorders, should be a top priority for research. Knowing why neuroticism predicts such a wide variety of seemingly diverse outcomes should lead to improved understanding of commonalities among those outcomes and improved strategies for preventing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B Lahey
- Department of Health Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the determinants of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in children. The autonomic nervous system as measured by HR and HRV is considered a biological marker of psychopathology in children. METHODS We examined the relationship of maternal psychopathology with infant HR and HRV. HR was recorded at 14 months in 528 infants. The high-frequency component of HRV was used as an indicator of cardiac vagal modulation. The presence of a lifetime maternal psychiatric diagnosis was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Presence of maternal psychiatric symptoms during pregnancy and 2 months after birth was assessed, using the Brief Symptom Inventory. RESULTS A maternal history of a psychiatric disorder was associated with a 0.24-standard deviation (SD) higher mean HR in the infant (beta = 0.24, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.03, 0.4, p = .025) and a 0.14-SD lower high-frequency power (beta = -0.14, 95% CI = -0.6, -0.03, p = .003). Likewise, postnatal maternal anxiety and depression symptoms were associated with infant mean HR. A 1-point increase in the mean anxiety symptom score was associated with 0.14-SD higher mean HR in the infant (beta = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.2, p = .004), and a 1-point increase in mean depression score with a 0.11-SD increase (beta = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.2, p = .025). No significant associations of prenatal maternal affective symptoms with infants autonomic functioning were found. CONCLUSION Maternal lifetime psychiatric diagnosis and postnatal psychiatric symptoms are associated with infant autonomic functioning, namely, higher mean HR and lower vagal modulation.
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Rijsdijk FV, Riese H, Tops M, Snieder H, Brouwer WH, Smid HGOM, Ormel J. Neuroticism, recall bias and attention bias for valenced probes: a twin study. Psychol Med 2009; 39:45-54. [PMID: 18377673 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291708003231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior research on the nature of the vulnerability of neuroticism to psychopathology suggests biases in information processing towards emotional rather than neutral information. It is unclear to what extent this relationship can be explained by genetic or environmental factors. METHOD The genetic relationship between a neuroticism composite score and free recall of pleasant and unpleasant words and the reaction time on negative probes (dot-probe task) was investigated in 125 female twin pairs. Interaction effects were modelled to test whether the correlation between neuroticism and cognitive measures depended on the level of the neuroticism score. RESULTS The only significant correlation was between neuroticism and the proportion of recalled unpleasant words (heritability is 30%), and was only detectable at the higher end of the neuroticism distribution. This interaction effect seems to be due to environmental effects that make people in the same family more similar (e.g. parental discipline style), rather than genetic factors. An interesting sub-finding was that faster reaction times for left versus right visual field probes in the dot-probe task suggest that cognitive processing in the right hemisphere is more sensitive to subliminal (biologically relevant) cues and that this characteristic is under substantial genetic control (49%). Individual differences in reaction times on right visual field probes were due to environmental effects only. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence that the predisposition of individuals to focus on negative (emotional) stimuli is a possible underlying genetic mechanism of neuroticism.
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Affiliation(s)
- F V Rijsdijk
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.
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