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Prenatal intimate partner violence exposure predicts infant biobehavioral regulation: Moderation by the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2018

Cecilia Martinez-Torteya ,
Caleb J. Figge ,
Michelle A. Gilchrist ,
Maria Muzik ,
Anthony P. King  and
Matthew Sorenson
Cecilia Martinez-Torteya*
Affiliation:
DePaul University Universidad de Monterrey
Caleb J. Figge
Affiliation:
DePaul University
Michelle A. Gilchrist
Affiliation:
DePaul University
Maria Muzik
Affiliation:
University of Michigan
Anthony P. King
Affiliation:
University of Michigan
Matthew Sorenson
Affiliation:
DePaul University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Cecilia Martinez-Torteya, 2219 N Kenmore Ave., Chicago, IL 60614; E-mail: cmart121@depaul.edu.
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Abstract

The ability to regulate stress is a critical developmental milestone of early childhood that involves a set of interconnected behavioral and physiological processes and is influenced by genetic and environmental stimuli. Prenatal exposure to traumatic stress and trauma, including intimate partner violence (IPV), increases risk for offspring biobehavioral regulation problems during childhood and adolescence. Although individual differences in susceptibility to prenatal stress have been largely unexplored, a handful of studies suggest children with specific genetic characteristics are most vulnerable to prenatal stress. We evaluated the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met gene (BDNF) as a moderator of the effect of prenatal IPV exposure on infant temperamental and cortisol regulation in response to a psychosocial challenge. Ninety-nine mother–infant dyads recruited from the community were assessed when infants (51% female) were 11 to 14 months. Maternal reports of IPV during pregnancy and infant temperament were obtained, and infant saliva was collected for genotyping and to assess cortisol reactivity (before and after the Strange Situation Task). Significant genetic moderation effects were found. Among infants with the BDNF Met allele, prenatal IPV predicted worse temperamental regulation and mobilization of the cortisol response, while controlling for infant postnatal exposure to IPV, other maternal traumatic experiences, and infant sex. However, prenatal IPV exposure was not associated with temperamental or cortisol outcomes among infant carriers of the Val/Val genotype. Findings are discussed in relation to prenatal programming and biological susceptibility to stress.

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Footnotes

This research was supported in part by DePaul University Research Council grants. We thank the study participants and research staff, as well as Caitlin Karver for her technical assistance.

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