Early adversity and 5-HTT/BDNF genes: new evidence of gene-environment interactions on depressive symptoms in a general population.

Results. Total childhood adversity (b=0.27, p<0.001), childhood sexual abuse (CSA ; b=0.17, p<0.001), childhood emotional abuse (b=0.27, p<0.001) and childhood emotional neglect (b=0.22, p<0.001) had an impact on adult depressive symptoms. CSA had a greater impact on depressive symptoms in Met allele carriers of the BDNF gene than in the Val/Val group (F=5.87, p<0.0001), and in S carriers of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (5-HTT gene) (F=5.80, p<0.0001). Conclusions. Childhood adversity per se predicted higher levels of adult depressive symptoms. In addition, BDNF Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms seemed to moderate the effect of CSA on adult depressive symptoms. Received 23 July 2008 ; Revised 20 October 2008 ; Accepted 7 January 2009 ; First published online 12 February 2009