Gene × environment interaction in major depressive disorder

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial disorder, where multiple susceptibility genes interact with environmental factors, predisposing individuals to the development of the illness. In this article, we reviewed different gene × environment interaction (G×E) studies shifting from a candidate gene to a genome-wide approach. Among environmental factors, childhood adversities and stressful life events have been suggested to exert crucial impacts on MDD. Importantly, the diathesis-stress conceptualization of G×E has been challenged by the differential susceptibility theory. Finally, we summarized several limitations of G×E studies and suggested how future G×E studies might reveal complex interactions between genes and environments in MDD.

Keywords: Major depressive disorder; Gene × environment interaction; Diathesis-Stress model; Differential susceptibility Theory; Stressful life events; Childhood adversities

Core Tip: The effects of environmental factors on the risk of developing major depressive disorder are likely to be moderated by genetic variants which confer a sensitivity to both positive and negative environmental factors.