Effects of parental rearing and personality traits on DNA methylation in the BDNF gene.

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K10263
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Akihito 山形大学, 医学部, 講師 (10396567)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: エピジェネティックス / 養育環境 / 人格

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Three-hundred seventy-two subjects were enrolled in the present study. Parental rearing and personality were evaluated, and methylation levels of the BDNF gene were quantified by the bisulfite-pyrosequencing method. The following results were found.
1. In 98 healthy Japanese, the subjects with higher neuroticism scores had higher levels of BDNF gene methylation compared with those with lower neuroticism scores. Meanwhile, other personality traits were not associated with BDNF gene methylation. 2. Positive correlation between the BDNF gene methylation levels and sociotropy scores was found. Sociotropy scores were positively correlated with maternal protection.
These findings were made public in the form of an article and in the scientific meetings. A article is in submission.

Free Research Field

精神遺伝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでの研究において、幼少時に受けた養育態度、人格特徴、BDNF遺伝子メチル化の関係を包括的に検討した研究は行われていなかった。従って、本研究は、独創的・先進的なものであると考えられる。社会的・学術的意義として、うつ病を主とした精神疾患や自殺などの問題行動の病態解明や予防につながるものと考えられる。