Journal article
Which patient will feel down, which will be happy? The need to study the genetic disposition of emotional states
Quality of life research, Vol.19(10), pp.1429-1437
12/2010
DOI: 10.1007/s11136-010-9652-2
PMCID: PMC2977055
PMID: 20419396
Abstract
Purpose: In quality-of-life (QL) research, the genetic susceptibility of negative and positive emotions is frequently ignored, taken for granted, or treated as noise. The objectives are to describe: (1) the major findings of studies addressing the heritable and environmental causes of variation in negative and positive emotional states and (2) the major biological pathways of and genetic variants involved in these emotional states.
Methods: Literature overview.
Results: The heritability estimates for anxiety and depression are 30-40%. Related traits as neuroticism and loneliness are also highly heritable. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis is the 'final common pathway' for most depressive symptoms. The many findings of investigated genes are promising but not definitive. Heritability estimates of positive emotional states range between 40 and 50%. Life satisfaction and mental health share common genetic factors with optimism and self-esteem. The prefrontal cortex is a candidate brain area for positive emotional states. Biological and genetic research into positive emotional states is scarce.
Conclusion: Genetically informative studies may provide insights into a wide variety of complex questions that traditional QL studies cannot deliver. This insight in turn will help us to design more effective supportive programs that could moderate the outcomes of genetically based predispositions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Which patient will feel down, which will be happy? The need to study the genetic disposition of emotional states
- Creators
- Mirjam A. G Sprangers - Department of Medical Psychology/J3-211, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsMeike Bartels - Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsRuut Veenhoven - Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsFrank Baas - Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsNicholas G Martin - Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, AustraliaMiriam Mosing - Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, AustraliaBenjamin Movsas - Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI USAMary E Ropka - Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cheltenham, PA USAGen Shinozaki - Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USADick Swaab - Department Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Quality of life research, Vol.19(10), pp.1429-1437
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11136-010-9652-2
- PMID
- 20419396
- PMCID
- PMC2977055
- NLM abbreviation
- Qual Life Res
- ISSN
- 0962-9343
- eISSN
- 1573-2649
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands; Dordrecht
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2010
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Anesthesia; Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984070674302771
Metrics
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